Detainees in El Salvador’s gang crackdown cite abuse during months in jail

By CATERINA MORBIATO
Associated Press

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Thousands of detainees swept up in El Salvador’s gang crackdown over the past 1 1/2 years have been released from pre-trial detention. Two of them who spoke to The Associated Press on condition that they not be identified with their family names say they suffered and witnessed severe beatings and other abuse in prison. They say they saw their health fail and now fear they could be locked up again at any moment. President Nayib Bukele is running for a second five-year term despite a constitutional ban on reelection. He is largely running on the results of his gang crackdown, which has been highly popular in El Salvador for securing neighborhoods long dominated by gangs.