El Salvador President Nayib Bukele's drive to consolidate his grip on power and crack down on critics and humanitarian organizations has forced a leading human rights organization to suspend operations in the country and go into exile.

San Salvador

A prominent human rights organization, Cristosal, has suspended its operations in El Salvador and relocated staff abroad, citing escalating government pressure and threats of criminal prosecution. The group, known for investigating corruption in President Nayib Bukele's government, reported that 20 employees have left the country, leaving only one staff member, Ruth López, who is currently jailed on sealed corruption charges.

Since the declaration of a state of emergency, President Bukele has curtailed constitutional rights, limited press freedom, and undermined judicial independence, drawing criticism from human rights groups. Despite these concerns, Bukele remains highly popular domestically, with government figures citing a significant drop in homicides and a recent survey showing an 85 percent approval rating. International criticism has had limited impact, with the United States reportedly reducing its advocacy for civic space in El Salvador.

El Salvador rights group flees Bukele's deepening crackdown

El Salvador President Naib Bukele's drive to consolidate his grip on power and crack down on critics and humanitarian organizations has forced a leading human rights organization to suspend operations in the country and go into exile. Cristosal was founded by Anglican bishops 25 years ago and came to prominence for its investigations into corruption in the Bukele government. The group told Reuters it has pulled 20 employees out of the country in recent weeks. Noah Bullock is the group's executive director. You know, we've persisted through espionage, monitoring, legal, administrative harassment, defamation. But when it became clear that the government was prepared to persecute us criminally and that there's no possibility of defense or an impartial tryout, that makes it unbiable to take those risks anymore. It has just one employee left in El Salvador, Ruth López, its anti-corruption and justice director who has been jailed since May on corruption charges. The government brought the case against López under seal, prompting her to call for a public trial. Reuters could not independently establish the charges against her. A spokesperson for El Salvador's attorney general's office didn't respond to requests for comment about why the case against López is sealed and whether officials consider her a danger. As imposing a state of emergency in March 2022, Bukele has suspended constitutional rights, curtailed freedom of the press and undermined judicial independence. Bukele, who was elected president in 2019, devoted a significant portion of his State of the Union address to criticizing journalists and human rights groups. Nobody elected them in democratic elections since we're talking about democracy, not even in second grade elections. But they do feel they have the right to influence the country's decisions, with money, with total impunity, the so-called human rights organizations that defend murderers who once massacred our people. Human rights groups say thousands of innocent people have been swept up in his gang crackdown, which has resulted in arrests of more than 85,000 people. Bukele has said such dramatic measures were needed to eliminate violent gangs hold over the country. According to government figures, homicides have fallen more than 90 percent since he took office. Despite international criticism, Bukele remains extremely popular in El Salvador. A survey in June showed him with a nearly 85 percent approval rating. Bullock said that for groups doing human rights work, a major change has been the election of U.S. President Donald Trump. The United States has been an ally of human rights organizations and journalists. And I think prior to Trump, you know, defended civic space. That clearly is no longer a priority of the United States in their relationship with Bukele. And Bukele feels unrestrained in repressing critical voices. During Bukele's visit to the White House in April, Trump said Bukele is quote, one hell of a president and quote, doing incredibly for your country.

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