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The balance after six months of state of exception in El Salvador

The balance after six months of state of exception in El Salvador

First modification:

On March 27, the National Assembly of El Salvador approved suspending the rights of free association, inviolability of correspondence, and defense against arrest, in addition, it extended the maximum period of administrative detention. It started an exceptional regime, extended six times and with some popularity among citizens, but criticized for involving serious human rights violations.

Those who reject the measure affirm that these six months of state of emergency have left thousands of arbitrary arrests, stigmatization, mistreatment in prisons, cases of torture and deaths of citizens in state custody.

The Salvadoran government assures that more than 52,000 people have been detained and are in prisons that, for the most part, are overcrowded. According to the human rights organization Cristosal, at least 80 detainees have died in the custody of the Salvadoran state and there are reports of between 2,700 and 3,000 arbitrary detentions.

For citizens, the tranquility or feeling of security is the clearest proof of the good result of the measure, which also translates into figures of high acceptance of the Government’s management.

A survey conducted by the Francisco Gavidia University showed that support for the Salvadoran president is around 80%. According to the CID Gallup firm, 85% of Salvadorans approve of government policies in general; 95% of citizens approve of the actions taken by the Government to confront the insecurity unleashed by criminal groups known as ‘maras’, they also celebrate the extension of the state of exception and the way to combat violence.

What to do with these complaints of alleged human rights violations in El Salvador? Will this play against President Bukele, who will seek his re-election in 2024? Are Salvadoran institutions and democracy at risk? How much longer will the president’s high popularity be maintained? Six months after the state of emergency began in El Salvador, we take stock in this edition of El Debate with the help of our guests:

– Eduardo Escobar, director of the NGO Acción Ciudadana.

– Francisco Martínez, consultant on social and labor issues, advisor to the National Council for Sustainable Development and monitor for compliance with the SDGs at the National Council for Sustainable Development of El Salvador.

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