Prominent Anti-Corruption Lawyer Detained in El Salvador Amid Crackdown

The detention of Ruth López, a leading figure in combatting government corruption, signals a worrying trend in President Bukele's administration.

In a dramatic escalation of tensions in El Salvador, Ruth López, a notable anti-corruption lawyer, was taken into custody on Sunday night. López, who has been a staunch critic of President Nayib Bukele's administration, was apprehended by law enforcement, as confirmed by her affiliated human rights organization.

At the time of publication, no formal charges had been made against López, and her whereabouts remained undisclosed. The Attorney General’s office accused her of involvement in corrupt activities linked to her former association with Eugenio Chicas, a magistrate and ex-government official who was arrested earlier this year on accusations of illicit financial gains.

The administration claimed that López was complicit in the misappropriation of government funds, intensifying an already fraught relationship between the government and human rights advocates. This arrest has drawn significant backlash from numerous rights organizations and legal experts, who argue that López’s detention is emblematic of Bukele's increasing authoritarianism and retaliation against dissenters.

Experts note that the deteriorating political landscape in El Salvador comes on the heels of Bukele's controversial policies and its relationship with former U.S. President Trump, particularly regarding immigration issues. Critics argue this connection has emboldened Bukele to silence critics effectively, raising significant concerns about the state of democracy and human rights in the nation.