Overview

• Ruth Eleonora López, head of Cristosal's Anti-Corruption Unit, was arrested on allegations of embezzlement tied to her prior government role.
• Authorities have not disclosed López's location or allowed her legal team access, raising serious concerns over due process violations.
• Cristosal and international rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have condemned the arrest as part of a broader crackdown on civil society in El Salvador.
• López has been a prominent critic of Bukele's extended state of emergency, which has led to mass detentions and the suspension of constitutional rights since 2022.
• Calls for López's release have intensified globally, with rights groups urging the Salvadoran government to ensure her safety and uphold judicial transparency.