A. M. 
The Legislative Assembly of El Salvador, through its Political Commission, proposed, as part of the ratification process for the reform to Article 27 of the Constitution, the modification of the Juvenile Criminal Law, with the aim of allowing minors who commit serious crimes to receive life imprisonment.
The proposal, promoted by the Government and presented by the Minister of Security, Gustavo Villatoro, contemplates changes to Articles 8, 9, and 15 of said law. Specifically, it seeks to ensure that adolescents who commit crimes such as homicide, rape, or terrorism face life sentences, equating these punishments with those established for adults in cases of extreme severity.
This proposal represents a significant shift in the juvenile justice system, which currently establishes differentiated sanctions with time limits, under an approach oriented toward rehabilitation and social reintegration. If the reform is approved, this principle would be modified in the most extreme cases, prioritizing more severe sanctions.
During the study of these reforms, Defense minister Francis Merino Monroy also participated, supporting the need to strengthen the legal framework to avoid loopholes that allow perpetrators to evade justice.
The president of the Political Commission, Ernesto Castro, stated that harmonizing secondary laws with the constitutional reform will mark a significant change for the country by increasing penalties for serious crimes and guaranteeing justice for victims.
In addition to the Juvenile Criminal Law, the Executive Branch has requested reforms to other key regulations. These include the Penal Code, where the aim is to punish crimes such as homicide in its various forms and rape with life imprisonment. The proposal also includes modifying the Special Law against Acts of Terrorism to increase penalties for members of criminal organizations and strengthen the definition of terrorist organizations.
Likewise, changes are being considered to the Comprehensive Special Law for a Life Free of Violence for Women, so that crimes such as femicide and aggravated femicide will be punished with life imprisonment, significantly increasing the current penalties.
According to authorities, these measures are part of a comprehensive security strategy aimed at consolidating the progress made in reducing crime and strengthening public trust in the judicial system.
The legislative process is still under review. For upcoming sessions, the Political Commission has summoned Attorney General Rodolfo Delgado and Supreme Court President Henry Mejía to discuss the scope and implications of these reforms in greater detail.
If implemented, the changes would represent a significant transformation of the salvadoran penal system by establishing life imprisonment as punishment for extremely serious crimes, including those committed by minors.
You can also read:
