Hundreds of police officers surrounded the courthouse this week. Heavy security cordons formed a ring around the building as the first group of defendants arrived for their hearings.
This operation marks the start of a legal proceeding involving 486 alleged MS-13 leaders. Prosecutors are targeting the top tier of the gang hierarchy to dismantle its command structure.
The sheer number of individuals in the dock has forced a complete reconfiguration of courtroom logistics. Judges must now handle hundreds of distinct criminal allegations within a single, massive judicial process.
The scale of the case
The national judiciary continues to manage the heavy influx of testimony and evidence. Court officials expect the proceedings to continue throughout the coming months as each person's role is verified.
The outcome of these hearings will determine the success of the government's plan to break the gang's power. El Salvador has spent years trying to crush organized crime.
Next steps for the trial
Officials say the court will review the charges against each defendant separately. The judge must sort through years of witness accounts and digital evidence.
Some defendants face extradition requests from the United States. Others are accused of crimes committed entirely within El Salvador. The trial aims to hold the entire leadership accountable.
Police expect the first major verdicts within six months. The case will reshape security policy across the region. Families of victims are waiting for answers that have been missing for decades.
