The report of the human rights organization also reveals that the deaths of the detainees were the result of torture and serious and systematic injuries. Almost half of the deceased were victims of violent (36) or crime-related (39) deaths.
Among the deaths that occurred there are 30 cases in which the reported cause indicates “edema”, which include 26 cases of pulmonary edema, 3 cases of cerebral edema, and 1 case of generalized edema despite the fact that in several of these cases there was evidence of violence on the corpse.
“There are sufficient elements to presume that some of these deaths were preceded by violence, lack of assistance and medical attention, supply of medicines or medical negligence, even that these diseases or chronic conditions could have been acquired or aggravated as a consequence of torture, beatings and cruel and inhuman treatment” received in prison, the report indicates.
69,000 detainees
The gangs maintained control of 80% of the country’s territory, according to the government, and financed themselves with massive extortion, hit men and drug trafficking.
To combat them, an emergency regime has been in force for 14 months that allows the police and the army to make arrests without a warrant.
The measure was approved on March 27, 2022 by Congress at the request of Bukele, in response to an escalation of gang violence that claimed the lives of 87 people.