Cristól to Cease Operations in El Salvador Amid Government Repression

Cristól, a key human rights organization in El Salvador, has declared its decision to withdraw from the country due to increasing government harassment and legal threats. Noah Brock, the executive director, noted that tensions have surged recently, particularly with President Naive Bukele feeling emboldened by his ties with former President Donald Trump, as reported by the Associated Press.

“We’ve been clearly targeted, leaving us with a choice between asylum and imprisonment,” Brock explained. He emphasized that the Bukele administration has sparked a wave of oppression in recent months affecting civil society leaders, experts, and even business professionals who have sought refuge.

Cristól has been a vocal critic of Bukele’s regime, accusing it of extensive human rights violations during their crackdown on gangs. The organization particularly objects to the collaboration between El Salvador and the Trump administration, especially in relation to the detention of Venezuelan migrants at the National Center for Terrorism Confinement (CECOT).

In an official statement, Cristól announced the suspension of its activities in El Salvador, highlighting their 25 years of advocacy for human rights. They cited the increasing criminalization of defenders, the introduction of a foreign agent law echoing Russian policies, and the erosion of institutional independence as driving factors for their exit. “This administration has dismantled the core principles of democracy,” the statement read.

“With tight control over all institutions through a perpetual state of emergency, El Salvador no longer operates as a nation governed by law. You could be imprisoned simply for voicing your opinion or advocating for basic rights,” they continued, expressing concerns over the punishment of freedom of expression and peaceful protests.

The group also condemned the recent arrest of Ruth Lopez, a lawyer and activist, who was charged with embezzlement. They framed her situation as part of a wider campaign of intimidation rather than an isolated case, stressing that “Ruth is behind bars for advocating transparency and calling out corruption.” Many others have faced similar fates or have fled due to their activism.

Since Bukele assumed the presidency in 2019, El Salvador has seen a significant drop in murder rates, reportedly decreasing by around 95%. However, this positive statistic is overshadowed by growing concerns about human rights and governance in the country.