An Urgent Appeal: El Salvador’s Dire Prison Conditions

Recent reports have highlighted the harrowing conditions within El Salvador’s prison system. Ruth López, an anticorruption lawyer, was detained by authorities in May 2025. Her husband, Louis Benavides, shares his experience from San Salvador, El Salvador.

El Salvador’s prisons are notorious for their harshness. López disappeared into this system a year ago. At the time, she was leading the Anti-Corruption and Justice Unit at Cristosal, a Central American human rights organization. Her investigations targeted misuse of pandemic funds and fraud linked to the introduction of Bitcoin in El Salvador. Her work always adhered to legal standards and transparency.

Ruth López is a prominent figure internationally. Two years ago, the BBC recognized her as one of the 100 most influential women worldwide. Despite this status, she was arrested on dubious charges in May 2025, without the opportunity to defend herself.

In the U.S., awareness of El Salvador often centers around President Nayib Bukele. Bukele is known for his partnership with President Trump to detain Venezuelan migrants at the Terrorism Confinement Center, CECOT. His crackdown on gangs and crime is believed by many locals to have improved safety on the streets.

However, the crackdown has severe consequences. Since a state of emergency was declared over four years ago, Bukele has detained around 90,000 people in raids. This amounts to nearly 2% of the adult population. The majority of detainees have had no contact with families or access to legal representation. Many remain imprisoned for years without trial, leaving families uncertain of their status.

The raids have ensnared both guilty and innocent individuals. Without due process, and with courts hesitant to challenge the state, the innocent face little chance of a fair trial. In an effort to expedite cases, the government processes them en masse, trying hundreds simultaneously. Numerous prison terms are indefinite. Recent legal changes allow life sentences for children as young as 12.

Awareness of these issues is crucial. The international community must recognize the toll of El Salvador’s current policies on human rights and justice.