El Salvador's Life Sentences for Crimes

0:00The latest international headlines, politics, and world affairs, right here on Global News Today. El Salvador's Congress approved a constitutional change on March 17th. It allows life sentences for crimes like murder, rape, and terrorism. This supports President Naïev Bukele's ongoing war on criminal gangs. Before, judges could impose sentences longer than 100 years, but inmates served no more than 60. The vote passed easily with 59 lawmakers in favor and only won against. Bukele pushed hard for the reform on social media. He questioned why anyone would defend keeping killers and rapists out of prison for life. This move follows four years of a strict state of exception. It lets security forces arrest over 90,000 people without normal procedures. Around 500 detainees have died while in custody. Just last week, international lawyers found reasonable grounds for crimes against humanity in the crackdown. Officials face growing scrutiny as the tough policies continue.

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