El Salvador Passes Controversial Law Allowing Life Sentences for Minors

El Salvador has passed a controversial new law that allows for life sentences to be imposed on minors as young as 12 years old. The measure is part of President Nayib Bukele's ongoing crackdown on crime in the country, which has been under a four-year state of emergency.

The law, which was published in the country's official gazette, expands the range of crimes that can result in life sentences for minors, including homicide, extortion, and terrorism-related offenses. Previously, the maximum sentence for minors was 10 years in prison.

Human rights groups have condemned the new law, arguing that it violates international standards on the treatment of children and could lead to the imprisonment of vulnerable youth. Critics also note that the law is part of a broader authoritarian trend under Bukele, who has been accused of consolidating power and undermining democratic institutions.

The Salvadoran government has defended the measure, claiming that it is necessary to combat the country's high rates of gang violence and organized crime. However, experts warn that harsh sentencing for minors is unlikely to address the root causes of these issues, which are often rooted in poverty, lack of opportunity, and weak social support systems.