El Salvador sees daily disappearances despite homicide-free claim
NGOs report troubling rise in disappearances amid El Salvador's safety claims
El Salvador, a small nation in Central America, experiences a troubling rate of disappearances, with one person vanishing each day. This alarming statistic comes from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) using data from prosecutors. According to the Working Group for Missing Persons in El Salvador, which includes nine NGOs, 366 individuals were reported missing in the year leading up to 31 May.
Despite these figures, the government boasts over 650 days free of homicides since President Nayib Bukele assumed office in June 2019. Bukele initiated a state-of-exception in March 2022, suspending certain civil rights, conducting mass trials, and constructing a “mega-prison.” His efforts have garnered significant public support, reflected in his re-election with 85% of the vote this past February. Nonetheless, human rights organisations report numerous deaths in custody and instances of arbitrary detention, torture, and abuse of children.
Bukele claims El Salvador is now the “safest country in the Western Hemisphere.” However, Idalia Zepeda from the NGO association highlighted a nearly 10% rise in disappearances compared to previous estimates from the United Nations and the U.S. Agency for International Development. To address this, NGOs have launched an online portal for citizens to report missing persons, aiming to provide better support to victims’ families and improve data accuracy.
NGO representatives insist this registry should not replace governmental transparency in public information. They criticised the government’s human rights commissioner, Andres Guzman, for a lack of openness about the missing persons issue. Requests for comments from Guzman’s office and the attorney general’s office went unanswered.
What Other Media Are Saying
- The Intercept reports on the alarming issue of disappearances in El Salvador, highlighting the growing concern over the number of missing people and the inadequate response from authorities, as well as the impact on families and communities.(read more)
- Vice explores the dark truth about El Salvador’s plummeting murder rate, highlighting President Bukele’s claims and the realities of gang violence and human rights abuses.(read more)
- Human Rights Watch reports widespread human rights violations in El Salvador’s state of emergency, including arbitrary detentions, torture, and ill-treatment, with security forces acting with impunity, and a culture of fear and repression emerging.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
How many people go missing daily in El Salvador?
One person goes missing each day.
How many people went missing in El Salvador in the past year?
366 people went missing in the 12 months to May 31.
What measures has President Nayib Bukele taken to combat crime?
Bukele launched a state-of-exception, mass trials, and built a mega-prison.
What is the public perception of Bukele’s security measures?
Bukele has secured widespread popularity and re-election with 85% of the vote.
What concerns have human rights groups raised about Bukele’s policies?
Human rights groups report deaths in custody and arbitrary detention, torture, and beating of children.
