Ruth López's case is not isolated. Since March 2022, El Salvador has lived under a state of exception that has resulted in thousands of arbitrary detentions. Here we document some of the most emblematic cases.
18
Documented cases
9
Currently detained
3
Exiled
5
Released
12
With international attention
Context: An Unprecedented Human Rights Crisis
Since March 2022, El Salvador has maintained a state of exception extended more than 45 consecutive times, suspending fundamental constitutional guarantees such as the right to defense, the presumption of innocence, and freedom of association.
88,000+
people detained
433+
deaths in custody
45+
extensions of the regime
Organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the IACHR have denounced these practices as systematic violations of international law.
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18 of 18 cases
This list documents cases verified with public sources. The actual number of victims is significantly higher. Many cases remain anonymous for the safety of victims and their families.
Main sources: Cristosal, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, El Faro, IACHR.