Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

highplainsdem

(63,258 posts)
Wed Apr 15, 2026, 07:23 PM Apr 15

El Salvador to apply life sentences to minors for serious crimes

Source: Reuters

Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has enacted legal reforms allowing ​life imprisonment for minors as young ‌as 12 convicted of homicide, terrorism, or rape, according to the country's official gazette.

The measures, published ​on Tuesday and scheduled to take ​effect April 26, follow a constitutional amendment ⁠approved in March by the government-controlled Congress.

-snip-

The constitutional amendment came days after an ​international legal panel reported "reasonable grounds" to suggest El Salvador ‌has ⁠committed crimes against humanity during a years-long state of emergency.

-snip-

The ​44-year-old president's ongoing state of emergency, ​which ⁠suspends various constitutional guarantees, has led to the detention of more than 90,000 people. ⁠Humanitarian ​organizations estimate at least 500 ​of those detainees have died in state custody.

-snip-


Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/el-salvador-apply-life-sentences-minors-serious-crimes-2026-04-15/



Bukele is a monster. So of course both Trump and Musk support him (Musk will be helping with AI indoctrination of schoolkids - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143580868 ).
8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
El Salvador to apply life sentences to minors for serious crimes (Original Post) highplainsdem Apr 15 OP
Omg! SheltieLover Apr 15 #1
My reaction, too. Especially because of those El Salvador prisons. highplainsdem Apr 15 #2
Yes! SheltieLover Apr 15 #4
It's nothing that we don't do here Polybius Apr 15 #3
I suppose, but that's really rare, isn't it? SheltieLover Apr 15 #5
For the most part Polybius Apr 15 #6
Yeah. I'm ok with that, too. SheltieLover Apr 15 #7
Republicans would love that here popsdenver Apr 15 #8

SheltieLover

(81,871 posts)
4. Yes!
Wed Apr 15, 2026, 08:25 PM
Apr 15

I had no idea El Salvadore was so ruthless until all this blew up about prisons. 2nd only to ruskies imo.

Polybius

(22,154 posts)
6. For the most part
Wed Apr 15, 2026, 08:29 PM
Apr 15

But 10 year olds killing people is also pretty rare, thankfully. Usually though, it's 14 or 15 being tried as an adult for particularly heinous crimes. I'm ok with that, btw.

SheltieLover

(81,871 posts)
7. Yeah. I'm ok with that, too.
Wed Apr 15, 2026, 08:31 PM
Apr 15

Their personalities are formed & habits in place, sadly for them & the victims.

popsdenver

(2,673 posts)
8. Republicans would love that here
Wed Apr 15, 2026, 10:11 PM
Apr 15

Then Trump could pardon them, and force he and his Republican "friends" to be shown a certain type of gratitude for years.....

BTW......does anyone know what happened to those hundreds and hundreds of Caged Mexican children during Trump's first term of terror........????????? You can be sure none of his Racist MAGAot Voters would have adopted them...that's for sure.....
unless Trump sold them to those who wanted child slaves to clean their homes.......

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»El Salvador to apply life...