Since Tuesday, Salvadoran police have arrested at least 20 people in the Bukele government's most brazen attack to date on land defenders and human rights defenders. Among them is Fidel Zavala, spokesperson for the Community and Human Rights Defense Unit (UNIDEHC) who has gone public with his eyewitness testimony of torture in El Salvador's prisons. Police also raided UNIDEHC's office and the home of UNIDEHC lawyer Ivania Cruz, whom you may have heard speak during our webinars and virtual press conferences.

CISPES denounces the arrest of community leaders of the La Floresta Community in San Juan Opico organizing to defend their lands and community from eviction

Washington, DC | We call for the IMMEDIATE RELEASE of Medardo Arnoldo Rodriguez and Alejandra Jeannette Cañas, who were arrested on February 9, 2025. Mr. Rodriguez and Mrs. Cañas had recently been elected as leaders of the La Floresta community council in San Juan Opico, representing over one hundred families who have inhabited those lands for over fifteen years.

Santa Marta community also speaks out against arrest of former FMLN leader and key defense witness in trial of Santa Marta 5.

Read the full statement here

The Santa Marta 5 faced a retrial on politically motivated charges stemming back to the civil war despite a unanimous verdict confirming their innocence in October 2024.

Take Action

Take Action In Solidarity with El Salvador

Meet some of the sustainers who power our work!

"I am a CISPES supporter because continuing to fight for social justice and a more people-centered country means continuing the dream and sacrifice of thousands of my fellow Salvadorans who died for that vision.” - Padre Carlos, New York City

Join Padre Carlos by becoming a sustaining donor to CISPES today!

Recent Posts

On the evening of Friday, July 31, ahead of a national weeklong holiday, El Salvador's Legislative Assembly, controlled by Nayib Bukele's New Ideas party approved and ratified constitutional reforms, including to allow indefinite reelection.

Nayib Bukele Loyalists Reform Constitution to Allow Indefinite Reelection

Families of victims of the State of Exception protest against Decree 803 outside of El Salvador's Legislative Assembly on June 25, 2025. Photo: Foro Nacional de Salud (via Facebook).

Victims' Families Protest Decree 803: Prolonged Pre-trial Detention and Mass Trials

Community members gather outside courthouse on first day of the trial with signs: "We live here, we resist here! For the freedom of the Community leaders" Photo: Comunidad Santa Marta Facebook

Unjust trial resumes against Santa Marta 5 Water Defenders