The government of Nayib Bukele gave a 130-year sentence to 62 members found guilty of being part of the terrorist organization MS-13.
In recent years, the government of Nayib Bukele has declared these gangs to be terrorist groups, promoting the creation of maximum-security prisons and promoting judicial reforms that facilitate mass arrests. These measures have allowed the State to win important victories against organized crime
El Salvador maintains its frontal fight against organized crime, and its judicial system has begun to apply life imprisonment with greater rigor to anyone found guilty of serious crimes such as murder, rape and terrorism. 62 criminals were found guilty of joining the MS-13 gang in the town of San Vicente, consolidating a new coup against one of the most dangerous organizations in the region.
The leader of the group, José Alberto Mazariego, was convicted of homicide, illegal groups and extortion, receiving a maximum sentence of 130 years in prison. The authorities identified him as one of the main “click brokers”, that is, a key actor within the organization's operational structure. For their part, the other gang members received sentences of up to 70 years, reflecting the magnitude of the crimes committed
.
The MS-13, or Mara Salvatrucha, is one of the most infamous gangs in the Americas, with a presence in countries such as El Salvador, Mexico and the United States. His criminal record includes murders, drug trafficking and weapons, activities that for years were consolidated as common practices in his actions. This organization has maintained a constant confrontation with the Salvadoran State for more than
The recent conviction is not an isolated event. In February of this year, 57 members of MS-13 were convicted for crimes such as illegal groups, terrorism and drug possession. Days later, another 60 members received convictions for human trafficking and aggravated homicide
.
Also, in December 2025, 250 gang members were found guilty of femicide, extortion, conspiracy and illegal trafficking,
accumulating sentences exceeding 1,300 years in prison.These results are largely explained by the implementation of the emergency regime in 2022, which allowed the arrest of more than 95,000 people linked to gangs, many of whom already have final convictions. This type of policy reinforces the State's capacity to dismantle criminal structures and restore order, through a strategy that combines judicial firmness and
sustained territorial control.
