Cristosal, the leading human rights organization in El Salvador, has shut its doors and relocated its staff to nearby countries following a spree of police intimidation, as confirmed by director Noah Bullock. The organization has been instrumental in exposing state-sponsored abuses, particularly torture incidents linked to President Nayib Bukele's harsh tactics against gang violence, initiated during an emergency mandated in 2022.
“This closure signals a grave moment in our nation’s history,” remarked Juanita Goebertus from Human Rights Watch. “It delivers a chilling message to all those impacted by abuse and to the media about the repercussions of opposing authority and revealing corruption.” The Salvadoran government has declined to comment on the situation.
The crackdown intensified after the May arrest of Ruth López, Cristosal's anti-corruption director. Her ongoing imprisonment and the arrest of another attorney, Enrique Anaya, who condemned López's detention, have raised significant alarm over the rights environment in the country.
Bullock described the atmosphere faced by Cristosal staff as one of increasing repression, citing police night visits and ongoing surveillance. The conflict has unfolded against a backdrop of Bukele's newfound rapport with the United States, following agreements to manage deportees from the Trump era, despite ongoing human rights critiques from the Biden administration and growing international condemnation.
