"Human rights crisis in El Salvador worsens under Bukele."

The situation in El Salvador has taken an alarming turn in recent years, especially since President Nayib Bukele's government implemented a state of exception in March 2022. This decree, introduced in response to a rise in violence linked to gangs, has faced strong criticism from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), which recently denounced "abuses in the use of force" during this period. The IACHR has urged the Salvadoran government to repeal this measure, warning that it cannot become a permanent component of its security policy. Since the implementation of the state of exception, over 73,000 arrests have been reported, many of which have been classified as arbitrary. According to the IACHR's report, these arrests have led to the imposition of preventive detention in a large number of cases, raising serious concerns about respect for human rights in the country. The Commission has highlighted the alarming frequency of illegal detentions and searches without warrants. In a context of rising social tension, the IACHR has documented multiple reports of human rights violations ranging from excessive use of force by authorities to the infringement of the rights of particularly vulnerable groups, such as children and adolescents. The lack of adequate judicial oversight over arrests and the use of mass hearings have also been identified as serious issues threatening the principle of due process. One of the most chilling aspects of the report is the figure of between 189 and 200 deaths of detained individuals that the IACHR has been able to verify. This data casts a disturbing shadow over the management of the penitentiary system and the protection of the rights of detainees in El Salvador, a country that already struggles with a precarious reputation regarding human rights. Bukele's government has defended its security policy, arguing that the state of exception has been essential for the protection of the population. However, the administration has also pointed out that the IACHR's report lacks methodological rigor and transparency, suggesting that the data presented does not reflect the reality on the ground. Despite the criticisms, the president has maintained his stance, emphasizing that the fight against gangs is a national priority. On the other hand, the IACHR has questioned the rationale behind the continuation of the state of exception, stating that the data reported by the government regarding an improvement in security could indicate that the state of emergency has been surpassed. In this regard, the Commission emphasizes that the prolongation of the suspension of fundamental rights is not justified and that it is essential to return to a state of normalcy that respects human rights. In a broader regional context, criticisms of Bukele's policy are not isolated. Recently, the tragic death of a Venezuelan child traveling on a train with migrants in Mexico has added another layer of urgency to the discussion about migration and security in Latin America. This incident underscores the precarious situation for those seeking to escape violence and poverty in their home countries. The landscape in El Salvador is complex and requires sustained international attention. The combination of aggressive security policies and human rights violations presents a dilemma that cannot be ignored by the international community. While the government insists that its actions are necessary to ensure security, the IACHR and other human rights organizations continue to advocate for a more humanitarian approach that respects fundamental guarantees. Pressure on the Salvadoran government could intensify, especially if it continues to ignore the IACHR's recommendations. As events unfold, it will be crucial for citizens, both in El Salvador and across the region, to continue demanding justice and transparency in the management of public security. The protection of human rights should not be sacrificed in the name of security, and it is the responsibility of all to ensure that this premise is respected in every corner of Latin America.