No Exceptions for Youth: This Country Allows Life Sentences for Offenders as Young as 12
by Park Eunseo
Published 17 Apr.2026 10:19(KST)
Updated 17 Apr.2026 14:29(KST)
El Salvador Significantly Increases Penalties for Serious Crimes Committed by Minors
Life Sentences Now Possible for Offenders Aged 12 and Above
El Salvador has revised its laws to allow life sentences to be imposed on minors aged 12 and older, stepping up its tough stance against crime. As discussions continue in South Korea over lowering the age of criminal responsibility, the debate over harsher punishment versus rehabilitation is coming under renewed focus.
According to AP and other sources on April 16 (local time), El Salvador President Nayib Bukele signed a constitutional amendment the previous day enabling minors aged 12 and older who commit serious crimes such as murder, terrorism, or rape to be sentenced to up to life imprisonment. The law was published in the official gazette and will take effect on April 26.
With the amendment in effect, the separate judicial procedures that previously applied to minors aged 12 to 18 will be abolished. However, the law includes provisions that allow for the review of sentences or the consideration of parole after a certain period has passed.
Previously, the maximum legal sentence in El Salvador was 60 years, and juveniles received lower sentences than adults. The government also plans to establish dedicated criminal courts to handle cases under the new law.
"War on Crime" Ultra-Hardline Policy... Human Rights Controversy
This measure is seen as an extension of President Bukele’s "war on crime" policy. Since declaring a state of emergency in 2022, the Bukele administration has carried out sweeping crackdowns on crime. Military and police forces have arrested approximately 91,000 offenders to date, with fewer than 10 percent reportedly released.
However, concerns over human rights violations continue. There have been frequent reports of arbitrary detention, arrests with insufficient evidence, and mass trials. Human rights organizations estimate that at least 500 detainees have died in custody, with overcrowding and poor prison conditions also cited as serious issues.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights also expressed concern that the amendment could violate children's rights. On the other hand, President Bukele has emphasized the need for the reform, arguing that the existing legal system has effectively served as a "free pass" for young offenders.
El Salvador’s new policy is drawing attention as a case study amid global trends in responding to juvenile crime.
In South Korea, those under the age of 14 are classified as "juvenile delinquents" and are subject to protective measures instead of criminal punishment. However, rising public concern over serious crimes has led to ongoing calls for lowering the age threshold for criminal responsibility.
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