SANTA TECLA, El Salvador — The U.S. State Department’s 2024 global human rights report draws a sharp line between Washington’s allies and adversaries, offering praise for some governments while sidestepping concerns raised by citizens and advocacy groups in friendly nations.
In its chapter on El Salvador, the report states there were “no significant changes” in the human rights situation during the year.
The government reported a significant decline in widespread killings by criminal gangs. The government and observers widely attributed the decrease to the government’s policies under the state of exception, declared in March 2022 and extended monthly.
The report notes that gang-related violence remained at “historically low levels” under the state of exception, with mass arrests curbing criminal activity.
Also, it says there were “no credible reports of significant human rights abuses.”
Under the state of exception, which had to be renewed monthly, security forces were empowered to arrest anyone suspected of belonging to a gang or providing support to gangs. As a result, thousands of suspects were detained. Some suspects died in prison prior to conviction or completing their sentences.
Those conclusions conflict with findings from human rights organizations.
Human Rights Watch acknowledged the drop in violent crime. Still, it warned that it came at “a high cost” in suspended legal guarantees and alleged abuses, including arbitrary detentions, since the state of exception began in March 2022.
President Nayib Bukele, a close ally of Donald Trump, has rejected the allegations, including reports of mistreatment at the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), which housed 252 Venezuelan immigrants the U.S. deported as suspected criminals before a July prisoner exchange with Venezuela.
In July, local rights group Cristosal halted operations in El Salvador, citing what it called government harassment and repression of rights defenders.
The move came after the arrest of lawyer and activist Ruth López, intensifying concerns among NGOs about the climate for human rights work in the country.
