El Salvador grapples with a deepening human rights crisis and stalled veteran prison trials

A report released by the University Central American Observatory of Human Rights (UCA) described El Salvador as being in a “grave crisis of human rights”. The document cites a pattern of arbitrary arrests, detentions without due process, deaths in custody and a “significant under‑registration” of lethal violence – the government recorded 82 homicides in 2025 while the observatory argues the true figure is far higher, including femicides, prison deaths and killings by state forces. Since the emergency measures introduced in March 2022, 90,844 people have been captured, 3,093 complaints of arbitrary detention have been filed and 120 deaths under state custody were documented in 2025 alone. The report also notes constitutional reforms passed on 31 August 2025 that allow indefinite presidential re‑election, extend the term to six years and eliminate a second‑round vote, while civic space has been narrowed through intimidation of journalists and human‑rights defenders.

The Committee of Family Members of Political Prisoners (COFAPPES) warned that the judicial process against veteran members of the National Alliance for Peace in El Salvador remains stalled. Most detainees are elderly with chronic illnesses, and the group says the prosecution has offered no substantive evidence beyond a single, now‑discredited witness testimony. Coordinator Lourdes Palacios said, “Practically no evidence proves the guilt of these people,” and noted that only one detainee, Atilio Montalvo, received substitute measures after two years of imprisonment. The remaining prisoners, including former FMLN deputy José Santos Melara and other peace‑agreement signatories, continue to be held without a trial.