Pastors, union members, and minors among the 470 people who have died in prisons under the Bukele regime

"The latest report from the Salvadoran organization Humanitarian Legal Aid (SJH) documents 470 deaths among people detained during the 45 months of the state of emergency imposed by Nayib Bukele. The investigation concludes that a high percentage of people who entered the prison system healthy did not last even a month in prison and died; which indicates that they may have been murdered."

"The 32-page document reveals that 94% of those killed were not gang members. Among them were evangelical pastors, union leaders, taxi drivers, and four minors, including a newborn. This figure triples the 153 deaths in state custody reported by the organization Cristosal in 2023. In both cases, family members reported identifying bodies bearing signs of torture. SJH collected testimonies from relatives and compared them with its own investigation over nearly four years."

Humanitarian Legal Aid (SJH) documents 470 deaths among people detained during 45 months of El Salvador's state of emergency under Nayib Bukele. A high percentage of detainees who entered prison healthy died within a month, suggesting possible murder. Ninety-four percent of those killed were not gang members, including pastors, union leaders, taxi drivers, and four minors. Family members reported identifying bodies with signs of torture. Thirty-one point eight percent died violently and a similar proportion died from lack of medical attention for chronic illnesses. Human rights organizations report arbitrary arrests, torture, and killings; SJH and Cristosal left El Salvador in 2025.

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