The Instituto Universitario de Opinión Pública (Iudop) at the Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas recently reported that, according to public opinion, the State of Emergency (régimen de excepción) has been the most effective security policy in reducing crime in El Salvador over the past two decades. This policy was implemented following a surge in homicides, with the country recording 62 killings on March 26, 2022. In response, at 3:41 a.m. on March 27, the Salvadoran Congress approved the emergency measure in an extraordinary plenary session, as requested by President Nayib Bukele to protect citizens’ safety.

The emergency regime, as explained by Jorge Castro, a former Congressman from the Nuevas Ideas party, is a constitutional mechanism designed to address extreme situations, ensuring the state’s commitment to the well-being of its people. Despite the urgency, many deputies from the ARENA party did not attend the session to discuss the executive’s request.

Since its approval, the emergency regime has led to significant legal reforms aimed at combating criminal groups effectively. Key legislative changes include amendments to the Penal Code, increasing prison sentences for gang members and leaders, and revising laws related to drug trafficking, terrorism, and juvenile crime.

Under the Penal Code reforms, penalties for terrorist-related crimes have been increased to 20-30 years in prison, with harsher sentences for leaders and financiers of criminal organizations. The Law Regulating Activities Related to Drugs now includes severe penalties for gang-affiliated drug offenses, reflecting the government’s stance against narcotics as a source of funding for criminal groups.

Additionally, the Criminal Procedure Code has been amended to enhance judicial protection and eliminate alternative sentencing for terrorist group members. Reforms to the Special Law against Acts of Terrorism and the Juvenile Criminal Law introduce stricter penalties for minors involved in serious crimes, emphasizing the government’s zero-tolerance approach to violence and its roots in youth recruitment.

These legislative changes underscore the government’s commitment to eradicating crime and ensuring public safety. As President Bukele and legislative leaders assert, the emergency regime and its associated reforms are necessary steps to restore peace and security in El Salvador.