El Faro Journalists Face Arrest Threats Amid Bukele Administration Controversy

The Salvadoran digital news platform, El Faro, reported on Monday that the administration of President Nayib Bukele is preparing to issue arrest warrants for several of its journalists. This development follows the publication of an interview with two former leaders of the 18th Street gang, which unveiled details of a controversial power-sharing agreement involving Bukele.

Background

According to El Faro, a reliable source indicated that at least seven warrants are being prepared by the Attorney General’s Office, which operates under Bukele’s influence. The interview included insights into Bukele’s longstanding connection with gangs, prompting significant alarm regarding press freedom in the country.

Pivotal Interview Revelations

While the existence of a pact between Bukele and gangs is not new to El Salvador, the interview marks a notable first in that it provided video evidence of gang leaders describing their agreements with the government. One participant, known as “Liro Man,” stated that he and his accomplice were able to escape El Salvador with the help of a negotiator aligned with Bukele.

“We wanted to talk about this for a long time… But they forgot that they made a deal with us,” Liro Man explained, shedding light on the government’s contradictory stance on gang violence.

Bukele’s Response

In a post on the social media platform X, Bukele dismissed the revelations, suggesting that a peaceful nation was unsustainable for human rights organizations and the global media. His remarks reflect an ongoing tension between his administration and independent news agencies critical of his governance.

Impact on Press Freedom

If the arrest warrants are executed, they would represent a significant shift in the legal landscape concerning press freedom in El Salvador, marking the first occasion in decades that charges have been directly aimed at journalists for their work. This move has sparked concerns among both local and international observers about the ongoing risks faced by independent media.

El Faro’s Resilience

Despite facing numerous obstacles, including allegations of money laundering and the deployment of surveillance tactics against its reporters, El Faro has maintained its commitment to investigative journalism. They emphasized the importance of reporting facts regardless of the ramifications:

“We can’t change the news, and we never will,” the outlet’s editors stated in 2022.

Conclusion

The situation in El Salvador presents a complex landscape where journalistic integrity is tested amid government pressure. As the threats against El Faro journalists mount, the international community watches closely, underscoring the need for safeguarding press freedom in the region.