Honduras approves life sentences for gang leaders and up to 40 years in prison for graffiti

Honduras's National Congress approved on the night of Tuesday, October 27 a reform that toughens sentences against gangs, known locally as maras. 118 of the 128 lawmakers voted in favor.

The new sentences

Being a member of a gang will carry 30 to 40 years in prison, because these groups are treated as terrorist associations.

Leaders, financiers and promoters can get anywhere from 40 years to life in prison.

There will also be life sentences for anyone who kills a judge or a police officer because of their job.

Painting graffiti or messages of threat or territorial control will carry 30 to 40 years. Tattoos and symbols can be used to prove that someone belongs to a gang.

Honduras's two biggest gangs, MS-13 and Barrio 18, have about 40,000 members, according to the authorities.

Other changes

People accused of terrorist association will face mandatory pretrial detention. The law also creates a Special Prison Force and requires biometric identification of the most dangerous inmates.

According to Bloomberg Línea, it allows searches without a court order in urgent cases, with a prosecutor present. Flying drones over prisons will carry 4 to 6 years.

Why now, and who opposes it

The package was pushed by the security council chaired by President Nasry Asfura. Honduras recorded about 2,629 murders in 2025.

The 10 lawmakers from the Libre party abstained. The Supreme Court had asked for due process to be guaranteed, and some legal experts fear the definition of terrorism is too broad.

The model resembles that of El Salvador, which has lived under a state of emergency since March 2022.