El Salvador Approves Constitutional Reform to Allow Life Sentences Amid Massive Incarceration Campaign

El Salvador’s Congress has passed a constitutional amendment allowing life sentences as President Bukele continues a gang war that has imprisoned 1% of the population.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 5:23 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from ABC News and the Associated Press.

Legislative Approval and Ratification

On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, the Salvadoran Congress approved a constitutional reform that eliminates the previous prohibition on life sentences. The measure, backed heavily by President Nayib Bukele’s administration, passed with an overwhelming majority of 59 out of 60 lawmakers. The reform is expected to be formally ratified next week, marking a permanent shift in the nation's penal code.

Consolidation of Power

The amendment is the latest in a series of legal maneuvers that critics argue are dismantling the country's democratic checks and balances. In late 2025, the government successfully removed presidential term limits, allowing Bukele to seek indefinite re-election. Bukele defended the new life sentence policy on social media, challenging political opponents to justify why "murderers and rapists" should eventually be released from prison.

The State of Exception

Since March 2022, El Salvador has operated under a "temporary" state of emergency that has been extended for nearly four years. This measure suspends several key constitutional rights, including the right to a legal defense and the requirement for authorities to provide evidence for detention.