"Arbitrary detention in El Salvador: the heart-wrenching case of José Duval Mata"

The grim reality of arbitrary detention in El Salvador has come to life through the heartbreaking story of José Duval Mata, a 26-year-old who has been detained for over two years in the infamous Cecot prison, despite the Salvadoran judiciary ordering his release on two occasions. This case reflects a series of human rights violations in the context of the state of emergency declared by President Nayib Bukele and highlights the desperation of many families in the country who, like Duval Mata's, have been dragged into the nightmare of a judicial system that seems to have lost its way. José Duval, a tractor driver by profession, was arrested in April 2022 during a military raid in his community. Soldiers detained him on suspicions of "illicit association," an ambiguous term that the government has used to justify the mass detention of thousands of citizens, including around 3,000 minors. Duval Mata's family has been fighting for his freedom, presenting evidence of his innocence that, in theory, should have been sufficient for his release. However, their efforts have been systematically ignored by a system that operates under the premise of guilt by association, without due process. The story of Marcela Alvarado, José Duval's mother, reflects the helplessness many Salvadoran families experience. After her son's arrest, she gathered documents demonstrating his good conduct and lack of gang ties. Despite her efforts, José was subjected to a mass trial that was resolved in a matter of minutes, condemning him to a sentence that has been extended indefinitely. Marcela has maintained a weekly routine of bringing him food, but her visits have been cut short by the news that her son was transferred to Cecot, one of the most feared prisons in the world. Cecot, which is presented as the stronghold of President Bukele's security policy, has been criticized for its inhumane conditions and lack of respect for human rights. While the government hailed the measures as a triumph in the fight against organized crime, the reality within its walls is grim, with living conditions that have led many families to fear for the lives of their loved ones. In this context, José Duval's story becomes a symbol of the struggle for justice in a system that seems to have abandoned legality. The repeated promises of release issued by judges seem to hold no value in an environment where arbitrariness has become the norm. After a judge ordered his release in September 2022, José was arrested again upon leaving prison, an act that the NGO Cristosal describes as "illegal detention" and which calls into question the legitimacy of the Salvadoran judicial system. The situation worsened when, in June 2023, another judge confirmed his release, but the reality is that José remains behind bars more than a year after that decision. The government's responses to such situations have been, at best, evasive. Despite international pressure and criticism from human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch, Bukele's administration seems to dismiss allegations of human rights violations in its fight against gangs. Although it claims to have released 7,000 people, many remain trapped in legal limbo, with little hope for justice. The lack of communication and uncertainty have led Marcela to a state of constant anguish. With no news of her son, she has had to grapple with the terror of thinking he might have died in prison. Her daily life has become a struggle for hope, where each day is a battle to maintain faith that her son, whom she has not seen since his arrest, is still alive. "I used to think about it nonstop," she confesses, an echo of desolation that resonates in many homes affected by repression. As President Bukele continues to consolidate his power, the story of José Duval Mata serves as a chilling reminder of the human costs of a hardline policy that, while popular among certain sectors of the population, is leaving behind a trail of pain and despair. Promises of security have brought with them an increase in state violence against those deemed suspicious, regardless of their innocence. The case of Duval Mata underscores a disturbing truth: justice in El Salvador has become an elusive concept, especially for those caught in the crossfire of a judicial system that seems to function more as a tool of repression than as a guarantor of rights. The international community watches with concern, but Salvadoran democracy faces a challenge that could define its future. In this context, it is vital that the voices of those calling for justice are heard. The story of José Duval Mata is not just an isolated case; it reflects a broader crisis involving thousands of people trapped in a cycle of violence and abuse. The fight for his release and that of many others is a struggle to restore dignity and human rights in a country where hope seems to be slowly fading away.