CISPES expresses our solidarity with Balsamo RTV journalist Monica Rodriguez, social worker and journalist Steve Magaña Ruiz, and artist Carlos Najarro. We condemn the irregular and arbitrary search of their home and confiscation of their professional equipment and materials by the National Civilian Police of El Salvador that took place on the evening of December 4 without them being informed of what they are being accused of or investigated for.

Balsamo RTV is a community news outlet that reports on environmental concerns, cases of political persecution, human rights, and attacks on democracy in El Salvador. On the evening of December 4, Salvadoran police entered the home of Mónica Rodríguez, press coordinator and journalist for the outlet, and Steve Magaña Ruiz, who is also a journalist for Balsamo RTV and social worker for the community organization ACUA.

In their statement following the incident, Balsamo RTV and the community radio association ARPAS said they “believe the confiscation and sequestering of the work materials of [their] colleagues is illegal and violates freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and thought diffusion.” These arbitrary acts, they continued, put them in danger, since they “expose journalists and communicators as they carry out their professions and their sources, such as human rights defenders and community leaders [and] diminishes citizen participation due to the hostility and intimidation.”

On the same evening, Salvadoran police entered the residence and confiscated the work equipment and materials of Carlos Najarro, a graphic artist who has gained prominence for sharing his art on social media - art which raises consciousness about and questions the corruption, human rights abuses and attacks on democracy carried out by the Bukele government.

We condemn the Bukele government’s troubling escalation of persecution and intimidation tactics against journalists, community leaders and artists whose work is essential to the defense of human rights in El Salvador. We  call on Salvadoran authorities to respect the fundamental rights,  and physical integrity of Monica Rodriguez, Steve Magana, and Carlos Najarro, including upholding their right to due process.

¡A más represión, más lucha!