El Salvador's war on gangs: Security policies and unresolved dilemmas

• In Event: ASC Presidential Panel: Intersections of Justice, Law, and Policy in Latin America: Emerging Opportunities to Tackle Serious/organized Crime

Abstract

For years, two dominant gangs in El Salvador epitomized organized crime, terrorizing marginalized urban and rural communities. Today, these gangs appear largely dismantled following a controversial "state of exception" and mass incarcerations implicating over 1.5% of the Salvadoran population for alleged gang ties. However, civil society has documented extensive human rights abuses against detainees, casting doubt on the sustainability of these aggressive measures. Concerns also persist regarding whether other forms of organized crime are being adequately addressed, whether remnants of the gangs may regroup, and whether the government might return to secret negotiations, as in the past. Both gangs and government forces are responsible for abuses against women, including harassment, sexual extortion, rape, and femicide. Reports of disappearances and sexual torture further highlight systemic gender-based violence. Although El Salvador has specialized laws and courts to combat organized crime, their enforcement remains limited, particularly in addressing violence against women. This intervention critically examines the moral and legal challenges of El Salvador’s security and justice policies, exploring the delicate balance between accountability, human rights, and public safety in a context of significant social and legal tension.

Author

• Leonor Arteaga Rubio, Due Process of Law Foundation