El Salvador Approves Life Sentences Reform

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele and his party are advancing a constitutional reform to permit life prison sentences, building on previous measures like the removal of presidential term limits and a prolonged state of emergency. These reforms, approved by the El Salvador===Legislative Assembly of El Salvador, are criticized for eroding checks and balances and undermining democracy. Human rights groups, including the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, have documented widespread arbitrary detentions under the state of emergency, which has led to approximately 91,300 detentions. Critics and journalists face pressure, with some forced into exile or prison. The government's actions are seen as consolidating Nayib Bukele's power and have raised concerns about the rule of law and human rights in El Salvador.