Freedom for leaders of the National Alliance for a Peaceful El Salvador
On May 30 and 31, 2024, police in El Salvador arrested ten members of the National Alliance for a Peaceful El Salvador (Alianza Nacional El Salvador en Paz), a coalition of former FMLN revolutionary fighters and former military soldiers that came together in 2021 to protest threats to democracy and human rights under the government of Nayib Bukele.
The coalition led numerous peaceful marches and mobilizations opposing the Bukele regime's attacks on human rights and constitutional law, including a major march on September 15, 2021, Salvadoran Independence Day. The Impendence Day march followed a Supreme Court ruling by loyalist appointees permitting Bukele to run for a second consecutive term in violation of the constitution.
On the eve of Bukele's June 1, 2024 inauguration for an unconstitutional second term, police arrested leaders of the Alliance, including historic FMLN leaders Atilio Montalvo, known as Salvador Guerra, and Jose Santos Melara, known as Pepe, along with other members, accusing them - without proof - of plotting a terrorist attack during the inauguration. The next day, police arrested a student organizer, Luis Menjivar, who was covering a press conference about the arrests.
After a year-long campaign by his family and national and international organizations, Atilio Montalvo was moved to house arrest in July 2024 due to extreme risks to his health. The other Alliance members all remain in pre-trial detention, denied contact with their families or their attorneys. Pepe Melara suffers chronic and complex medical conditions; however, urgent appeals for his release to house arrest have been denied by the courts.
The ten are set to face trial on August 11-14 in front of an anonymous judge in a tribunal against organized crime.
We demand freedom for the Alianza leaders and that Salvadoran authorities ensure: absolute respect for the presumption of innocence, a fair and transparent trial, judicial independence, full guarantees for the defense, and adequate medical care.
#LibertadVeteranosSV
International solidarity is essential to their survival!
Take Action:
Share our graphics on social media to uplift the urgent call for their immediate release! Use the hashtag #LibertadVeteranosSV.
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Resources:
Info sheets about the Alianza Nacional El Salvador en Paz arrests, and profiles for Atilio Montalvo ("Salvador Guerra"), Jose 'Pepe' Santos Melara, and Luis Menjivar
Press release on the 2024 arrests
International statement denouncing the arrests, signed by 70 organizations in 13 countries
"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
