Protest Against El Salvador’s State of Exception.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — Hundreds of relatives of people detained under El Salvador’s State of Exception marched Thursday to demand the release of their loved ones and the repeal of the emergency measure, which marks its third anniversary.
Demonstrators gathered in José Martí Square, also known as Don Rúa Roundabout, near the Human Rights Ombudsman’s Office (PDDH) in San Salvador.
Carrying banners and photos of detained family members, they denounced what they called arbitrary arrests and the lack of due process.
“We are not against security measures, but we are against the unjust imprisonment of innocent people,” said Rosa Rivera, whose son was arrested in 2023. “They have no right to a transparent defense, and we are left without answers.”
The State of Exception, first enacted on March 27, 2022, suspended certain constitutional rights, including the right to legal representation and timely judicial review.
It was introduced as a crackdown on gang violence following a surge in homicides but has since been repeatedly extended.
Government figures claim more than 86,000 suspected gang members and collaborators have been detained under the measure.
However, human rights organizations argue that thousands of innocent people have been swept up in mass arrests.
NGOs, including Cristosal and the Human Rights Institute of the Central American University (IDHUCA), say many detainees have no proven gang ties and that families are often left without information about their whereabouts or legal status.
“There is no way to ensure justice when people are arrested without evidence, denied a fair trial, and held indefinitely,” said Miguel Montenegro, a representative of the Commission for Human Rights in El Salvador (CDHES).
The families marching today want to remind the government that security cannot come at the cost of human rights.
Even though local and international human rights groups have criticized it, President Nayib Bukele’s administration keeps backing the policy, pointing to record-low crime rates and a significant boost in public safety.
Recent surveys indicate that a majority of Salvadorans support the State of Exception, crediting it with reducing gang violence and restoring order.
Thursday’s protest coincided with other demonstrations across the country, as well as statements from opposition political figures and civil society groups calling for judicial reforms and a review of detainee cases.
As the march continued through the capital, families chanted for justice and held signs reading “Freedom for the innocent” and “We demand a fair trial.” Many said they would continue their demonstrations until authorities addressed their demands.
The government has yet to respond to Thursday’s protest. Meanwhile, the State of Exception remains in effect, with no announced plans for its suspension.
