El Salvador: Human Rights Lawyer Arrested for Criticizing President Bukele – What It Means for Democracy

Authorities in El Salvador have taken a prominent attorney, Ruth Eleonora López, into custody. She has been an outspoken critic of President Nayib Bukele. This arrest has raised alarms among human rights groups, who view it as a sign of growing authoritarianism in the country.

López is the head of the Anti-Corruption and Justice Unit at Cristosal, a rights organization. The Attorney General’s office accuses her of involvement in a theft from state funds, alleging her key role based on investigations and recent raids.

At a press conference, López’s family claimed that officials misled her to come outside her home by pretending there was a traffic accident. They reported that she was detained without being shown a warrant and that her legal team has not yet been able to meet with her. "This sends a message that the government is willing to repress," said Abraham Ábrego, a director at Cristosal, highlighting a disturbing trend where activists are often detained away from public scrutiny.

López has actively challenged the Bukele administration on various fronts. She has pointed out the government’s lack of transparency regarding public funds and criticized its policies, including endorsing Bitcoin mining. She was also recognized by the BBC in 2024 as one of the 100 most influential and inspiring women.

Since Bukele took office in 2019, his government has implemented strict measures to combat crime, particularly gang violence. In 2022, a state of emergency was declared, allowing the government to suspend constitutional rights temporarily. This measure was originally intended to last for 30 days but has since been extended multiple times. According to officials, nearly 87,000 people have been arrested in the past three years, representing over 1% of El Salvador’s population. While the government claims this has improved security, critics argue it has led to numerous wrongful detentions and serious violations of human rights.

International organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned López’s arrest, stating that the state of emergency has become a tool to silence opposing voices rather than solely addressing gang-related violence. The government’s ongoing tactics have sparked debates about human rights and civil liberties in the region.

For further insights on human rights issues in El Salvador, check out reports from trusted sources like Human Rights Watch.

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