Journalists and human rights leaders flee El Salvador as Bukele jails dissidents

One of El Salvador’s most prominent human rights groups, Cristosal, announced that it had suspended operations in the country, and that nearly two dozen of its staffers had left.

One hundred activists, journalists and other critics of the government have gone into exile after President Nayib Bukele began arresting critics.

MEXICO CITY — They have fled to Guatemala, Mexico, Costa Rica and Spain. Most left in a hurry with few possessions, unsure of when — or whether — they would be able to return home.

As El Salvador cracks down on dissent, jailing critics of President Nayib Bukele, droves of human rights activists, journalists and other members of civil society are leaving the country out of fear.

More than 100 people have fled in recent months — the biggest exodus of political exiles