Life sentence for teens in Bukele’s El Salvador

Nayib Bukele, the region’s most controversial head of state, has taken his tough-on-crime agenda to a new level this week, signing a bill that allows judges in El Salvador to impose life sentences on teenagers convicted of serious crimes. 

With Bukele firmly in control after winning 84% of the vote in the country’s last election, El Salvador’s Congress passed a constitutional amendment with overwhelming support, with 57 lawmakers out of a possible 60 voting in favor. 

Some of the reform’s biggest changes target adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18, who can now face life behind bars if found guilty of homicide, femicide, rape or affiliation with criminal gangs. Unlike adults, however, minors will be eligible for parole after 25 years. 

Before the reform, offenders aged 12 to 16 faced a maximum of 10 years for serious crimes, rising to 15 years for those over 16 and up to 20 years for gang members. Lesser but still serious crimes such as extortion, kidnapping and aggravated robbery will continue to carry sentences of up to 15 years.