Authorities in El Salvador have detained Ruth Eleonora López, a prominent human rights lawyer, according to Human Rights Watch. López was arrested at her home in San Salvador on May 18, 2025. She currently serves as the Director of Anti-Corruption and Justice at Cristosal, a leading human rights organization in the country. Prosecutors have accused her of embezzlement but did not provide specific details regarding the allegations at the time of her arrest.
“Ruth López has bravely exposed corruption and human rights violations in El Salvador,” stated Juanita Goebertus, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. “Her arrest appears to be part of increased efforts to silence critics of the Bukele government.”
The detention is seen as part of a broader trend under President Nayib Bukele’s administration, which has been criticized for being increasingly hostile toward journalists, union leaders, and human rights defenders. The administration has passed laws undermining freedom of expression and revoked tax-exempt status for some NGOs. Recently, a lawyer and an evangelical pastor linked to peaceful protests against evictions were also arrested.
In May 2025, seven journalists from El Faro left El Salvador after learning about warrants for their arrest following investigations into secret negotiations between the government and gangs. This follows earlier intimidation that forced El Faro to relocate its operations to Costa Rica in 2022.
A 2022 investigation by Amnesty International and Access Now highlighted extensive use of NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware against journalists and civil society members in El Salvador.
Additionally, President Bukele announced plans to introduce a “foreign agents” bill taxing foreign aid received by human rights groups and independent media outlets at 30 percent. Human Rights Watch noted that similar laws in countries like Russia and Nicaragua have been used to control and silence independent civil society organizations.
Human Rights Watch urged foreign governments to express concern over López’s arrest and ensure she receives legal counsel while respecting her physical integrity. They also called for shelving the “foreign agents” bill due to its potential impact on freedom of association.
“López’s detention may well be a breaking point for freedom of expression and association in El Salvador,” Goebertus added. “Governments who want to reverse these growing authoritarian trends should speak up before it is too late.”
