International human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International, are raising alarms over the arrest and continued detention of two Salvadoran human rights defenders, José Ángel Pérez and Alejandro Antonio Henríquez. Arrested in May 2025 during a peaceful protest against a mass eviction in the El Bosque community, both men now face charges of "aggressive resistance" and inciting "public disorder."

HRW has scrutinized court documents and video evidence from the scene, concluding that the charges appear to be unfounded and the arrests arbitrary. "The evidence we reviewed shows that these community leaders were detained simply for exercising their right to peaceful assembly," stated Juanita Goebertus, Americas director at HRW. This sentiment was visually supported by footage showing the activists engaging calmly with police before being forcibly detained.

The protest that led to their arrest was aimed at contesting an eviction order issued by President Nayib Bukele, which threatened to displace approximately 300 families from their homes in the Santa Tecla district. Although the court later revoked this order, the arrests occurred near the president's residence, suggesting a possible motive to suppress dissent.

The legal charges against Pérez and Henríquez include allegations of using violence or threats to interfere with police actions, with potential sentences ranging from two to six years in prison. However, HRW's analysis of the protest footage contradicts these claims, indicating no aggressive actions from the demonstrators.

Amnesty International has gone further by designating Pérez and Henríquez as 'prisoners of conscience' and pointing out a broader trend of increasing harassment and criminalization of activists under President Bukele's administration. "They are part of a systematic pattern of criminalization that seeks to silence those who denounce abuses, demand justice, and demand transparency in public administration," explained Agnès Callamard, Secretary-General of Amnesty International.

As international pressure mounts, the situation of Pérez and Henríquez is being closely watched as a test case for El Salvador's commitment to democratic principles and human rights. The outcome could significantly impact the nation's global standing concerning freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest.