El Salvador mothers grapple with hope and loss as Bukele plans limited prisoner releases
Mothers of men detained during Bukele's 2022 state of emergency face uncertainty as the president announces a commission that may free about 5,000 of the 92,000 inmates.
Since the 2022 state of emergency, dozens of Salvadorans have been jailed without trial, including Gladis Álvarez's two sons. Alfredo Morales died in La Esperanza prison with signs of torture, while Kevin Morales faces a pending hearing in a mass trial. President Nayib Bukele announced a new commission to evaluate the 92,000 detainees, but later limited the expected beneficiaries to about 5,000, contradicting earlier hints of broader parole.
Mothers like Mirna Urías endure costly, fortnightly trips to deliver food to their husbands and sons, yet remain doubtful about the commission’s impact. Legal experts note that the commission operates outside existing law, as only prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges can influence release decisions. The families worry that even if released, former inmates will confront social marginalisation and a shattered home life.
Why it matters
The story highlights the human toll of mass incarceration and the legal uncertainty surrounding Bukele's limited prisoner-release plan.
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