El Salvador Human Rights Group Flees President Bukele's Crackdown

El Salvador's Human Rights Crisis

• 💔 A leading El Salvadoran human rights organization, Christosal, has suspended operations and gone into exile due to President Nayib Bukele's crackdown.
• 🔍 Founded 25 years ago by Anglican bishops, Christosal gained prominence for investigating corruption within the Bukele government.
• 👥 The group has pulled 20 employees out of the country, with only one remaining employee, Ruth Lopez, who has been jailed since May on corruption charges.

Government Harassment and Legal Tactics

• ⚖️ Christosal's executive director stated that the government's willingness to pursue criminal persecution, coupled with a lack of defense or impartial trial, made continued operations untenable.
• 🔒 The case against Ruth Lopez was brought under seal, preventing an independent verification of the charges against her.
• 🚫 A spokesperson for the attorney general's office did not comment on the sealed case or whether Lopez is considered a danger.

Erosion of Rights Under Bukele

• 🚨 Since March 2022, Bukele has suspended constitutional rights, limited press freedom, and undermined judicial independence under a state of emergency.
• 🗣️ Bukele has publicly criticized journalists and human rights groups, calling them unelected entities that try to influence decisions with money and impunity.
• 👥 Human rights groups report that thousands of innocent people have been arrested in Bukele's gang crackdown, with over 85,000 people detained.

Public Opinion and International Relations

• 📈 Despite international criticism, Bukele remains highly popular in El Salvador, with an approval rating of nearly 85% in June.
• 🇺🇸 The shift in US foreign policy, particularly under the Trump administration, is cited as a factor emboldening Bukele, as the US has become less of an ally to human rights organizations and journalists.
• 🤝 During a White House visit in April, President Trump praised Bukele as "one hell of a president."