El Salvadoran authorities have detained Ruth López, a well-known human rights lawyer and leading anti-corruption advocate, over allegations of embezzlement during her time in public office. According to a statement issued late Sunday by the Attorney General’s Office, López was apprehended at her home and is now facing serious criminal charges tied to the misuse of public funds. She currently serves as the Director of Anti-Corruption and Justice at Cristosal, a prominent human rights organization in the region.

The arrest stems from an ongoing investigation involving Eugenio Chicas, the former head of El Salvador’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal. Chicas, who was previously arrested in February on charges of illicit enrichment, is also a former press secretary under President Salvador Sánchez Cerén, who served from 2014 to 2019. Authorities allege that López played a role in facilitating the diversion of state resources during this period. According to prosecutors, evidence gathered during raids linked to Chicas’ case implicates López as an active participant in the scheme.

The Attorney General’s Office released a public statement via social media platform X (formerly Twitter), outlining the accusations. "During these periods, Ruth López collaborated in the theft of funds from state coffers," the office said. Prosecutors claim that documents and testimonies obtained during the investigation substantiate López’s involvement in criminal financial activities, though specific evidence has not yet been made public

In response, Cristosal has fiercely condemned the arrest, labeling it an act of political persecution. The organization described the detention as part of a larger “systematic strategy of criminalization” targeting human rights defenders, which it claims is orchestrated by President Nayib Bukele’s administration. They argue that such arrests are being used to silence voices critical of government policies and to undermine civil society organizations advocating for transparency and accountability.

President Bukele, who has drawn international attention for his tough-on-crime approach, has previously been accused of eroding judicial independence and using legal instruments to suppress dissent. His administration has implemented a prolonged state of emergency to combat gang violence, during which thousands have been jailed without trial. While his crackdown on crime has gained popular support for reportedly reducing violence, human rights organizations assert that the methods used have led to widespread abuses, including arbitrary arrests.

Despite the backlash, Bukele remains defiant, portraying himself as a reformer bringing order to a historically unstable nation. His supporters argue that his administration is rooting out corruption and restoring safety to communities long plagued by gang activity. Critics, however, warn that the government's growing control over the judiciary and law enforcement poses a significant threat to democratic institutions and civil liberties. The arrest of Ruth López now adds another controversial chapter to El Salvador's increasingly polarized political landscape.