Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

El Salvador's Human Rights Lawyer Arrested Amid Repression

5/20/2025

36 3

Left

López Arrested Amid Crackdown

Ruth López, a dedicated human rights lawyer in El Salvador, has been arrested as President Nayib Bukele intensifies his crackdown on dissent. This troubling development coincides with the deportation of Venezuelan migrants, sparking fears about the erosion of due process. In a parallel move, the U.S. Supreme Court has permitted the Trump administration to strip protections from 350,000 Venezuelans, putting their futures in jeopardy.

Right

Judge Orders Legal Access

A Texas federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to allow Venezuelan migrant Widmer Josneyder Agelviz Sanguino to meet with his lawyers. This decision comes as the administration faces criticism for using the Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged gang members to El Salvador, igniting fears over legal rights and due process.

1 of 2

López Arrested Amid Crackdown

Ruth López, a dedicated human rights lawyer in El Salvador, has been arrested as President Nayib Bukele intensifies his crackdown on dissent. This troubling development coincides with the deportation of Venezuelan migrants, sparking fears about the erosion of due process. In a parallel move, the U.S. Supreme Court has permitted the Trump administration to strip protections from 350,000 Venezuelans, putting their futures in jeopardy.

1 / 2