In May, the farming cooperative of El Bosque in Santa Tecla received an eviction notice, prompting a peaceful protest that was met with military police. Four cooperative members and their lawyer were arrested amidst rising tension over land rights. Jose Angel Perez, the cooperative's president, along with their lawyer, faced charges under the government's extended state of exception, resulting in uncertainty for locals. The protest highlighted the historical significance of El Bosque, which was granted to peasants during the civil war, indicating broader socio-political struggles in the nation.
Our leaders have been detained without cause just for speaking out. That is not a crime, says Douglas, a cooperative member who prefers not to reveal his surname.
They took them to send us a message. If we organise, we'll be next.
The protest outside Bukele's luxury Los Suenos home ended when military police and riot police arrived. They hit many of us when we tried to stop them from taking our leaders.
El Bosque is not just any piece of land. Like many others in El Salvador, it was granted to landless peasants during the 12-year civil war that started in 1980.
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