In El Salvador, the capital city San Salvador saw demonstrators unite to mark the third anniversary of President Nayib Bukele’s state of exception, a decree that severely restricts constitutional rights. This sweeping policy empowers the military to arrest individuals solely suspected of being gang members, but it has also been weaponised against human rights defenders and critics of Bukele’s administration.
Over the past three years, approximately 85,000 Salvadorans have been detained without due process, as anguished relatives call for their release. Human rights organisations highlight alarming abuses, including reports of numerous deaths occurring while individuals were in police custody. Thousands are currently held indefinitely in a notorious maximum-security facility, a place previously used by the Trump administration to unlawfully detain Venezuelan immigrants.
Amid rising discontent, Marcela Ramírez voiced strong opposition, stating that the actions of both Trump and Bukele are a deliberate attempt to criminalise poverty. She described such policies as xenophobic, emphasising that it is profoundly troubling for the Salvadoran government to adopt measures that mirror the punitive approaches of the United States.
Protesters in San Salvador commemorated three years since Nayib Bukele’s state of exception, which restricts rights and grants military powers to arrest suspected gang members. This has led to 85,000 arrests without due process and allegations of human rights abuses. Activist Marcela Ramírez condemned the collaboration with Trump’s policies as a xenophobic attack on impoverished communities.
The protests in El Salvador reflect growing frustration over President Bukele’s human rights abuses and his collaboration with U.S. policies. With thousands detained and significant violations documented, activists warn of the dangers of criminalising poverty. The movement highlights the urgent need for accountability and respect for fundamental human rights within the country.
Original Source: www.democracynow.org
