Top Rights Lawyer Arrested in El Salvador Crackdown

San Salvador, El Salvador — Ruth Eleonora López, a prominent human rights lawyer and director of Cristosal’s Anti-Corruption and Justice Unit, was arrested Sunday night under an order from the Salvadoran Attorney General’s Office. The 47-year-old activist faces charges of "peculado" (embezzlement) allegedly committed a decade ago while working for the electoral tribunal, according to a statement from the prosecutor’s office.

Arrest Sparks Outcry from Rights Groups

Cristosal, a leading human rights organization assisting families of detained migrants and victims of government crackdowns, condemned López’s detention, stating that neither her family nor her legal team had been able to confirm her whereabouts or the detention center where she is being held.

The arrest occurs amid what Cristosal described as a period of "deep concern" over the "growing risks faced by human rights defenders" in El Salvador, citing "institutional weakening and repression." López has been a vocal critic of President Nayib Bukele’s security policies, including the controversial "war on gangs" launched in 2022.

Context of Migrant Rights Advocacy

López’s arrest follows recent allegations by lawyers representing 252 Venezuelan migrants detained in a maximum-security Salvadoran prison after being deported from the United States. The migrants’ legal team reported they were subjected to "physical and psychological torture." Cristosal recently launched an online platform to gather testimonies from the detainees’ families, revealing that 78% migrated seeking "better economic opportunities," 35% fled violence, and 9% escaped political persecution.

President Bukele, a key ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump on immigration enforcement, has faced international scrutiny for his hardline policies. The Salvadoran Attorney General’s Office confirmed López’s arrest on social media platform X but provided no further details on her legal proceedings.

Cristosal continues to demand transparency and due process in López’s case, warning of escalating threats to civil society under Bukele’s administration.