Bukele Weighs Conditional Release for Gang Collaborators

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele said his government is considering conditional early release for roughly half of prisoners who collaborated with gangs, a proposal he said would involve individual case reviews and monitoring. He announced the plan on October 13, but gave no timetable for possible releases. Bukele described the proposed group as people who assisted gangs, distinguishing them from gang leaders. He cited lower-level help, such as warning gang members about approaching police, as one form of collaboration. He said the cases would be assessed individually and that people released would remain subject to conditions and supervision. The proposal would not amount to acquittals. The president did not specify how many people might qualify, who would make final decisions or what rules would govern the process. The government has not published a decree, bill or implementing rules for the plan. Although Bukele referred to a commission or system applying criteria, the details of its authority and operation have not been established publicly. The proposal concerns detainees held under El Salvador’s state of exception, imposed in March 2022 as part of a crackdown on gangs....