Cristosal Headquarters Forced Out of El Salvador – BUT Work Continues
Cristosal staff and their families have withdrawn physically from El Salvador due to the very repression they have spent so many decades working to confront. THEY ARE NO LONGER SAFE. The space for civil society is no longer just shrinking; it is being systematically suffocated. The detention of Cristosal colleague, Ruth Lopez is part of a broader effort to criminalize dissent. Dozens upon dozens of journalists, academics, and human rights defenders have already been forced into exile. With no due process, no legal protections, and no guarantees of safety and with the passage of the Foreign Agents Law, it is clear that there are few legal pathways for civil society to operate.
President Bukele’s chilling statement following Ruth’s detention, “The days of impunity are over. Don’t say you weren’t warned,” makes the government’s intent unmistakable.
As in every crisis we’ve faced, Cristosal are adapting.” We continue our work programmatically, now operating from our offices in Guatemala and Honduras”. Despite uncertainty, Cristosal’s purpose holds steady, and their vision for how to accompany Salvadorans is coming into focus.
If you would like to learn more about the current situation register to join the next Field Notes on Wednesday, July 23, at 4 pm ET/1 pm PT This conversation will be with Ricardo Gonzalez from the Fund for Global Human Rights, who has accompanied other human rights defenders through forced displacement.
Your support is essential. As a U.S.-registered charity, Cristosal’s funding remains secure and protected from El Salvadoran authorities, Donations are being deployed to protect and support our staff and their families, and to sustain our operations during the most repressive chapter in El Salvador’s recent history.
If you’ve ever considered giving, or giving again, now is the time. Your donation today protects lives and helps Cristosal rebuild. Go to St. Mary's Donation Page and select “Give to Cristosal” from the drop-down menu.
(The above information has been derived from an email communication. To learn more about Cristosal, go to https://cristosal.org/EN/)
~ Lea Starr, Cristosal Parish Rep
