Ruth López, head of Cristosal's anti-corruption unit, has been arrested in El Salvador, raising alarms among human rights advocates about increasing authoritarianism under President Nayib Bukele. Critics argue that López's detention, paired with the ongoing state of emergency that curtailed fundamental rights, is indicative of Bukele's crackdown on dissent. The Attorney General's Office claims she is linked to past electoral corruption, but her organization believes her arrest is part of a wider campaign against human rights defenders in the country. Concerns grow as the IACHR voices its distress over her whereabouts and safety.
Cristosal denounced on Monday what it considers to be a 'flagrant violation' of López's rights, demanding that the authorities immediately reveal her location to allay concerns about her safety.
Since Bukele launched his war against the gangs in late March 2022, some 85,000 people have been arrested, more than 1% of the country's population.
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) also expressed its 'deep concern' over López's arrest.
Under the policy, some fundamental rights have been curtailed. The right to gather is restricted, while detainees can now be held for 15 days without charges.
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