The Salvadoran human rights organization Cristosal has announced the abrupt closure of its offices and the relocation of its team to neighboring countries due to increasing threats and surveillance from police, as expressed by the group’s director, Noah Bullock. Cristosal has been active in documenting various human rights violations, including torture and incarceration conditions linked to President Nayib Bukele's governance and his administration's campaign against gangs, which has been in effect since 2022.
According to Bullock, the organization’s staff faced a new level of harassment characterized by police monitoring and nighttime visits, which they deemed a "wave of repression." This turn of events was punctuated by the previous arrest of Ruth López, Cristosal's anti-corruption director, highlighting the deteriorating safety for those advocating for human rights in the country. Her detainment followed the arrest of another prominent lawyer, Enrique Anaya, further signaling the risks associated with opposing Bukele's government.
Juanita Goebertus from Human Rights Watch remarked, "Cristosal’s closure in El Salvador marks a dangerous turning point," pointing out that this sends a troubling signal to survivors of human rights abuses and stifles civil society's efforts in the region. In the face of heightened oppression, U.S.-El Salvador relations seem to grow stronger despite ongoing concerns regarding human rights abuses, as the U.S. administration has been criticized for its lukewarm response to these developments, especially in contrast to the European leaders who have voiced their concerns.
As the crisis compounding under Bukele’s administration continues, Cristosal’s departure amplifies the already existing fears surrounding civic safety and the future of human rights advocacy in El Salvador.
