In light of the accelerating closure of civic space in El Salvador, Alianza Americas, the Center for Engagement and Democracy in the Americas (CEDA), the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies, Human Rights First, and Refugees International convened a dialogue with Noah Bullock, executive director of Cristosal, a key human rights organization in Central America. The event was moderated by Dulce Guzman, executive director of Alianza Americas.

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During the conversation, Bullock provided an in-depth analysis of the authoritarian tendencies intensifying in El Salvador and the region, as well as their direct impact on Salvadoran society. He addressed the process that led to the arbitrary detention of Ruth López, a prominent lawyer and human rights defender, and explained how this event marked a turning point for the organization. From that moment on, Cristosal made the difficult decision to close operations In El Salvador and restructure to continue its work from Guatemala and Honduras.

Bullock also reflected on the challenges of operating in contexts where democratic guarantees are dismantled, sharing lessons on institutional resilience, international solidarity, and the strategies needed to resist the criminalization of defending rights. Questions from the audience guided the dialogue towards topics such as the history of Cristosal, cuts to international cooperation, new priorities from exile, and the urgent call to defend democratic values throughout the region.

This space was an opportunity to renew our commitment to the organizations that, despite the repression, continue to work for justice and human rights.

Support Cristosal: givebutter.com/SupportCristosal

Update

You can watch the recording of the event here: