Can a tattoo send you to prison? What’s happening in El Salvador alarms the world

In El Salvador, a tattoo can now be more than just personal expression – it can be the difference between freedom and a cell in Cecot, the country’s notorious new supermax prison.

Under President Nayib Bukele’s sweeping anti-gang crackdown, gang-affiliated tattoos are considered legal evidence of criminal membership, a shift that’s raised concerns across borders, according to a detailed CNN investigation.

• See also: Trump and Bukele join forces to defy Supreme Court ruling

Tattoo dangers in El Salvador

Gang ink was once worn like a badge of honor by members of MS-13 and 18th Street, signaling turf, history, and loyalty. Now, those same markings are enough to get someone jailed, even before committing a crime. “In the past, they had to kill or extort someone to be tried,” Cecot’s director told CNN. “Now, having tattoos for these organizations is a crime.”

The crackdown has swept up thousands, many already locked inside Cecot. Journalists from CNN, the only media outlet granted access, saw former rivals forced to share cells, all under the eyes of heavily armed guards. Authorities say the tattoos are not misunderstood – they study them in forensic detail, cataloging the specific symbols used to warn, mourn, or threaten.

Outside El Salvador, these tattoos are also being used to deport suspected gang members from the U.S. One case involves Venezuelan ex-soccer player Jerce Reyes, deported over a crown tattoo linked to the Tren de Aragua gang – though his lawyer insists it just represents his favorite soccer team.

• See also: Deported for sports team tattoo? 

Critics say the policy criminalizes appearance, not actions, and innocent people with unrelated tattoos – including artists and musicians – risk being caught up in the dragnet. Still, Bukele’s supporters point to a dramatic drop in street violence, with many Salvadorans now walking freely where gangs once ruled.

But at what cost?

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