Bukele considers early release for half of gang-linked inmates

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 08:20 · Archive

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele is considering conditional early release for about half of those detained under the country's gang crackdown.

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele announced plans to grant early, conditional release to inmates held at the country's maximum-security mega-prison, CECOT, who collaborated with gangs. The measure could affect about 50% of those detained under the state of emergency declared in March 2022. More than 92,000 people have been arrested during the emergency rule imposed to combat gang violence.

Bukele distinguished between different levels of gang involvement, arguing that gang leaders who controlled communities should not be treated the same as residents who lived under their control and provided minor assistance. He noted that collaborating with gangs was common, saying that arresting everyone with gang ties would mean detaining 20% of the population. The Fox News report describes gang collaborators as a broad term encompassing lookouts and those making extortion payments.

Those released would remain subject to conditions and monitoring, with a government commission reviewing cases separately from the courts and Attorney General's Office. Bukele said authorities plan to analyse cases to determine eligibility, though he did not specify how many could qualify or when the plan might take effect. He also defended maintaining the emergency measures, saying he would like to lift them but believes reasons remain to keep them in place.

How it is being reported

• El Salvador's Bukele announces plan to free up to half of prisoners jailed in gang crackdownSalvadoran President Nayib Bukele unveiled a plan to free up to half of 90,000 detainees arrested under the state of emergency targeting gangs.Fox News · 15 Oct, 08:01
• Bukele weighs conditional release for half of gang-linked inmatesEl Salvador President Nayib Bukele said his government is considering a plan to grant early, conditional release to inmates held at the country's maximum-security mega-prison, known as CECOT.UPI · 14 Oct, 17:05

In this story: Nayib Bukele · El Salvador · CECOT · Marco Rubio

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