El Salvador's Anti-Gang Crackdown Leads to Mass Arrests and Torture of Minors

Human Rights Watch reports that over 1,000 minors have been convicted under El Salvador's state of emergency since March 2022, facing indiscriminate arrests, torture, and harsh prison sentences. The crackdown, led by President Nayib Bukele, has resulted in significant human rights violations against children, with many coerced into confessions and held without proper legal or familial contact. Despite criticism, Bukele's tough approach has made him highly popular and led to a significant drop in the country's homicide rate.