El Salvador Transfers 2,000 Alleged Gang Members to Mega-Prison

In a significant move symbolizing El Salvador's ongoing fight against gang violence, President Nayib Bukele announced the transfer of more than 2,000 alleged gang members to the Center for the Confinement of Terrorism (Cecot). This mega-prison, inaugurated in early 2022, is designed to house up to 40,000 inmates and is touted by the Salvadoran government as the largest in the Americas.

The transferred inmates, previously held in various prisons across the country, including Izalco, Ciudad Barrios, and San Vicente, are part of a broader crackdown on gang activity. President Bukele shared the news on his social media account, X, emphasizing the government's commitment to curbing gang violence. "We transferred more than 2,000 gang members from the prisons of Izalco (west), Ciudad Barrios (east), and San Vicente (southeast) to Cecot," Bukele stated.

Why It Matters : The transfer is part of a larger strategy under a state of exception, which has seen over 80,000 alleged gang members detained since its implementation. This state of exception was decreed by Congress at Bukele's request following a surge in violence that resulted in 87 deaths between March 25 and 27, 2022. The government's aggressive stance has been both praised for reducing crime and criticized by human rights organizations for the detention of innocents.

In a video posted by Bukele, the transferred gang members are seen dressed in white shorts and barefoot, being led into Cecot under heavy security. The president assured that these inmates would be incommunicado, with no possibility of leaving or ordering crimes from within the prison. "There they will pay for the crimes committed against our people," Bukele declared.

Cecot, located in Tecoluca, 74 kilometers southeast of San Salvador, spans 166 hectares, with eight pavilions built on 23 hectares within a perimeter fortified by 19 watchtowers. The prison's security is formidable, featuring seven security rings, an 11-meter-high concrete wall extending 2.1 kilometers, and electrified wires. Communication with the outside world is blocked by specialized devices, ensuring that inmates remain isolated.

The facility is guarded by 250 police officers and 600 soldiers. Inmates sleep on steel sheet bunk beds without mattresses or pillows, reflecting the harsh conditions designed to deter gang activity. As of February this year, official figures indicate that 12,500 gang members from the notorious Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18 gangs were already imprisoned at Cecot.

Key Takeaways

• Over 2,000 alleged gang members were transferred to Cecot, reinforcing El Salvador's tough stance on gang violence.
• The transfer is part of a broader crackdown under a state of exception, which has led to the detention of over 80,000 alleged gang members.
• Cecot is a maximum-security facility with extensive measures to prevent communication with the outside world and ensure inmate isolation.
• Inmates face stringent living conditions, including sleeping on steel bunks without mattresses or pillows.
• President Bukele's administration remains steadfast in its efforts to eradicate gang violence, despite criticism from human rights organizations.

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