Salvadors

El Salvador’s Controversial Standoff: Judge Denies Bail for Bukele Critic Ahead of Trial

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SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — A judge in El Salvador has ordered that a prominent critic of President Nayib Bukele be kept in custody as he awaits trial. This decision has raised concerns about the state of freedom of expression and judicial independence in the Central American nation. The individual, who has been vocal against Bukele’s administration, was initially arrested in early October. Authorities claim the charges stem from allegations of incitement to violence and conspiracy, although supporters argue that these charges are politically motivated. The judge’s ruling has drawn widespread condemnation from various human … Read more

El Salvador’s Controversial Foreign Agents Law Sparks Outcry Over Human Rights and Press Freedoms

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San Salvador, El Salvador — A controversial new law passed by the Salvadoran Legislative Assembly has raised alarms over potential restrictions on civil society and media. The assembly, primarily controlled by President Nayib Bukele’s New Ideas party, enacted the Foreign Agents Law amid significant human rights concerns, without engaging in public discourse. The law is framed as a measure to bolster transparency regarding foreign influence in public affairs and is intended to protect national sovereignty and stability. However, critics argue that it creates a mechanism for the government to monitor, control, and sanction organizations and … Read more

El Salvador’s Land Conflict Escalates: Community Leaders Arrested as Eviction Tensions Rise Near President Bukele’s Residence

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Santa Tecla, El Salvador — In early May, the farming cooperative El Bosque received an eviction notice, reigniting a longstanding struggle for land rights. In an effort to seek help, members of the cooperative gathered for a peaceful sit-in outside the private residence of President Nayib Bukele. The demonstration, however, was met with a heavy police presence, resulting in the arrest of five individuals, including the cooperative’s president, José Ángel Pérez, and his lawyer, Alejandro Henríquez. The detentions sparked widespread anxiety among the community. Pérez and Henríquez face charges of public disorder under the government’s … Read more

U.S. Man Wrongfully Deported to El Salvador’s Notorious Prison Amid Mix-Up; Legal Battle Intensifies for His Return

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Washington, D.C. – Attorneys representing Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national wrongfully deported to El Salvador despite a U.S. judge’s orders blocking his removal, are pushing for U.S. officials to intervene and facilitate his return. Government lawyers acknowledged in court filings that an “administrative error” led to Garcia’s deportation. Abrego Garcia, who first fled to the United States in 2011 to escape threats in his home country, has been living in Maryland with his U.S. citizen wife and child. Despite this, federal agents deported him in March to a notorious prison known for its harsh … Read more