End of preview - This article contains approximately 516 words.
Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article
Not a Subscriber?
Choose from one of the following options
Back
Weekly Report - 30 April 2026 (WR-26-17)
EL SALVADOR: Mass trial of MS-13 leadership kicks off
A mass trial has begun in El Salvador of 486 alleged leaders of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), one of the two main gangs in Central America, with Barrio 18 (M-18) being the other. Defendants include 22 gang leaders from Ranfla Nacional, the highest echelon within MS-13. The trial, which began on 21 April, is the first against a gang command structure. It is in line with legislation which allows mass trials of up to 900 people passed in July 2023 under the government led by President Nayib Bukele [WR-23-30], which in March 2022 implemented a state of exception to tackle gangs which remains in place. As with the state of exception, the mass trial has raised serious concerns among human rights groups.
- Violence erupts in Cauca as Petro talks security with Rodríguez
- PERU: Sánchez strengthens grip on run-off berth
- BOLIVIA: Corruption allegations at the central bank
- ECUADOR: Billion-dollar gold mine faces opposition
- TRACKING TRENDS
- BRAZIL: Tensions rise over Goiás state mining plans
- ARGENTINA: Milei offers Adorni full support
- CHILE: Kast admits to “mistake”
- TRACKING TRENDS
- MEXICO: Morena undergoes reshuffle as Sheinbaum eyes midterms
- MEXICO: CJNG crackdown continues amid US tensions
- EL SALVADOR: Mass trial of MS-13 leadership kicks off
- HONDURAS: Budget boost amid efforts to revive IMF programme
- Dominican tourism booming – but for how long?
- Quotes of the week