Human Rights Group Cristosal Exits El Salvador Amid Increased State Repression

Cristosal, a prominent human rights organization in El Salvador, has closed its operations and relocated its staff following police threats and intense harassment directed towards the group. The closure highlights the growing challenges faced by civil society in the region under President Nayib Bukele's regime.

The human rights organization Cristosal, which has been pivotal in investigating abuses in El Salvador, has officially ceased its operations in the country, moving its two dozen employees to nearby nations amidst heightened threats from law enforcement. Director Noah Bullock disclosed the troubling news, confirming that the organization has been persecuted largely due to its exposé of torture and other human rights violations committed during President Nayib Bukele's administration, particularly stemming from a state of emergency established to combat gang violence.

Renowned human rights advocate Juanita Goebertus from Human Rights Watch described the closure as a "dangerous turning point," warning that it sends a perilous message to those who seek to expose power abuses and corruption. The Salvadoran government has not publicly addressed the situation following Cristosal's announcement.

The tensions came to a head with the arrest of Cristosal’s anti-corruption director, Ruth López, earlier this year, followed by the detention of another lawyer, Enrique Anaya, who spoke out against López's arrest. Bullock noted that police have been surveilling Cristosal staff at all hours, demonstrating an alarming escalation in state repression.

As the Bukele administration has strengthened its rapport with the United States, particularly regarding migrant detention policies, the lack of accountability for human rights violations remains a point of contention. While U.S. officials previously expressed concern over conditions in El Salvador, the current administration's silence mirrors the oversight of human rights issues under its predecessors, even as European leaders continue to advocate for accountability in the face of rising repression.