Authorities in El Salvador have detained Ruth Eleonora López, a well-known attorney and critic of President Nayib Bukele. López heads the Anti-Corruption and Justice Unit at Cristosal, a rights organization. The Attorney General’s Office accuses her of involvement in theft of state funds, though details remain unclear. Her arrest has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups, who see it as part of a troubling pattern of government repression.
Authorities Detain López Under False Pretenses, Raising Concerns Over Rights Violations
López’s family and Cristosal leaders claim she was detained under deceptive circumstances, with authorities reportedly using false pretenses to bring her out of her home. She was denied access to her lawyer and family, raising fears of a “short-term forced disappearance.” Human rights advocates warn this reflects a growing willingness by the government to violate human rights and silence dissenting voices.
López has been an outspoken critic of Bukele’s administration, particularly condemning its lack of transparency regarding public debt, the handling of a prolonged state of emergency, and the government’s Bitcoin investments and mining policies. Her background includes advising a former Supreme Electoral Tribunal president, who himself faces legal challenges, underscoring her long-standing involvement in political and judicial matters.
Bukele’s Harsh State Of Emergency Sparks Arrests, Rights Abuses, And International Condemnation
Since 2019, President Bukele has implemented stringent measures to combat gang violence, including a state of emergency declared in 2022 that suspended several constitutional rights. This emergency, extended repeatedly, has led to the arrest of tens of thousands of people. While the government claims these actions have improved security, critics argue that the crackdown has led to widespread rights violations and wrongful imprisonments.
López’s arrest has been condemned by international organizations such as Amnesty International, which sees the state of emergency as a tool to suppress dissent under the guise of fighting crime. Rights groups warn that such measures endanger democracy in El Salvador by targeting activists and critics rather than addressing systemic issues.