El Salvador – anti-corruption actors at risk
Every time I see an article like this, I know that there are people out there working for their communities, risking arrest and worse, to highlight corruption in their governments. They are making impacts as they risk all for their principles. This NY Times article describes such a person. Ruth Lopez, a member of the human rights group Cristosal, being the lead of the anti-corruption and justice unit, advancing investigations into potential corruption or negligence by President Nayib Bukele’s government.
These behaviors by governments are a clear indicator that the work of groups like Cristosal are having an impact and therefore they should continue. “Ms. López’s arrest prompted immediate outcry within and outside El Salvador from human rights groups and experts. They said that Mr. Bukele, emboldened by his relationship with President Trump since agreeing to imprison migrants deported from the United States, had stepped up attacks on his critics.” Unfortunately, as the US government has stopped supporting human rights actors as well as not commenting on such actions, the arrest of a humanitarian anti-corruption activist, will allow governments such as that of El Salvador to act with some impunity.
Yet, what can be done? Obviously it would be ideal if there was some outcry by actors within El Salvador as well as influential international government officials. Yet, even articles such as the two mentioned (NY Times and Reuters )
Links:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/19/world/americas/elsalvador-bukele-arrest-lawyer.html