On the heels of Friday’s historic acquittal of five Santa Marta environmentalists, 19 former FMLN officials and government employees await a verdict in their own trial. The case, which went to trial on August 20, is yet the latest in a series of attacks by the Bukele government, characterized by smear campaigns and the use of the legal system, to discredit the leftist FMLN party and opposition leaders. A verdict in this case is expected on Friday, October 25.

The five prominent Water Defenders who faced politically-motivated charges are heroes of El Salvador — and they should never have been arrested.

A summary of the history behind the case can be found here.

September 28, 2024

As human rights violations under El Salvador’s more than two-year-long state of exception continue to mount, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers seeks to whitewash the abuses.

Join the international solidarity campaign for the Santa Marta 5!

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

A man with brown hair stands in front of banners laid out on the sidewalk, holding a latter

Photo: Via UNIDEHC

Organizations warn against Fidel Zavala's transfer to prison

URGENT: Attacks on human rights defenders and dozens of land defenders

A policeman stand behind a police truck with two men in fatigues and two other men sitting in the bed

Photo: UNIDEHC

CISPES Denounces Arrests of San Juan Opico Community Leaders