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.

On January 29, El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly ratified a constitutional amendment allowing for the Constitution to be changed with three-quarters legislative approval, giving Nayib Bukele and his congressional supermajority free reign to change the country’s fundamental governing document at will. The move is being denounced as a constitutional coup, paving the way for the removal of any constitutional restraints on the authoritarian Bukele.

Despite a unanimous October ruling in their favor, five anti-mining activists from the community of Santa Marta will be back on trial on February 3. The retrial sets a dangerous precedent, allowing the Attorney General to move a case to a different jurisdiction through an appeal in search of a guilty verdict.

Former President Mauricio Funes, who was elected as the first president from the leftist Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN) party, pased away on January 21. Below, we share a translated statement from the Popular Rebellion and Resistance Bloc (BRP), commemorating his life and legacy as an investigative journalist and president of El Salvador from 2009-2014.

Organizations of the Popular Rebellion and Resistance Bloc (BRP), as well as the Movement of Victims of the Regime (MOVIR), marched from Cuscatlán Park to the historic downtown El Salvador on Sunday, January 12, commemorating the 33rd anniversary of the 1992 Peace Accords.

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

Supporters outside of the courtroom on the May 30, 2025 pretrial hearing in the case against environmental activist and attorney, Alejandro Henriquez, and community leader of the El Bosque agricultural cooperative José Ángel Pérez. Photo via El Foro del Agua on Facebook.

Prominent Environmental Leader Denounces Increased Police Surveillance and Repression

Photo via Foro Nacional de Salud Facebook, May 21, 2025. NGOs in El Salvador hold a press conference to denounce Bukele's Foreign Agents Law.

Foreign Agents Law Further Criminalizes Dissent

One year of unjust detention for National Alliance for a Peaceful El Salvador leaders