The human rights organization Cristosal has announced the relocation of its operations outside El Salvador in response to increasing government pressure under President Nayib Bukele’s administration. This decision comes amidst a heightened crackdown on dissenting voices and scrutiny of governmental practices related to corruption and civil liberties.
On Thursday, Cristosal stated that it has officially ceased its activities in El Salvador and moved its staff to a safer location, where it will continue its essential work in advocacy from abroad. Executive Director Noah Bullock highlighted the growing dangers faced by the organization, indicating that the government’s willingness to pursue criminal charges against them, compounded by a lack of opportunity for fair legal recourse, has rendered their presence in the country untenable.
The Bukele government has intensified its focus on silencing organizations and individuals who question its methods and policies, particularly concerning human rights issues. Reports suggest that rights groups and independent media face fabricated legal challenges as a means of intimidation. A prominent figure, Ruth Lopez, an advocate for anti-corruption and justice associated with Cristosal, remains in detention following her arrest on corruption charges in May; her case has drawn international concern from organizations such as Amnesty International and the United Nations.
In May, President Bukele introduced a controversial law requiring non-governmental organizations that receive external support to register with the state and fulfill additional taxation obligations. This has garnered criticism from various sectors, asserting that the law serves as a tool for further control and restriction of civil society.
Established for 25 years, Cristosal has become a target of the Bukele administration, noted for its investigations into governmental corruption and documenting the humanitarian impact of the mass arrests carried out under the pretext of combating gang violence. The group articulated that the present situation in El Salvador has undermined the nation’s legal framework, stating that freedom of expression has been severely curtailed, leaving activists vulnerable to imprisonment for simply voicing their opinions.
Since the declaration of a “state of exception” in March 2022, the government has acquired substantial powers, enabling security forces to operate with impunity while suspending fundamental civil liberties. This emergency state, while claimed to be effective in reducing gang violence, has resulted in substantial human rights violations, with countless individuals detained without charges and subjected to deplorable conditions within prison systems.
Although the government’s narrative claims that crime rates have significantly diminished, persistent renewal of extraordinary powers raises concerns among human rights advocates, who assert that this environment is being exploited to suppress dissent and target those advocating for justice and accountability. Other media organizations, such as investigative outlet El Faro, have also opted to relocate operations due to fears of legal repercussions and harassment, although some journalists will remain in El Salvador to continue their reporting.
As the situation evolves, the challenges faced by Cristosal and similar organizations highlight the critical intersection of human rights advocacy and governance in today’s El Salvador, underscoring the need for ongoing international attention and support for free expression and civil society.
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