Lawyer Ruth López's health 'gravely' deteriorating in El Salvador detention, family denounces

The family of lawyer Ruth López, a vocal critic of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, has reported a severe decline in her health and physical condition since her detention. López, also a human rights defender, was arrested on May 18, 2025, initially on charges of embezzlement related to her work as an advisor at the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) during the previous administration.

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After more than a year without being able to see my sister Ruth, I recently had the opportunity to hug her, to let her know how much her family loves her, how much solidarity and support there is nationally and internationally. Seeing her has been a miracle.

Claudia López, Ruth's sister, stated that she recently visited her sibling for about 30 minutes at the Izalco Penitentiary. "Seeing her has been a miracle," Claudia said, emphasizing the solidarity and support Ruth has received nationally and internationally. The visit was facilitated after the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) issued precautionary measures in September, including ensuring regular contact with family.

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She presents high triglyceride levels – accumulation of fat in the body – with a risk of suffering a heart attack, a stroke, or pancreatitis, and all of this can result in Ruth's death.

According to Claudia, Ruth suffers from high triglycerides, posing risks of heart attack, stroke, or pancreatitis, which could be fatal. "I call on the international community to remain vigilant and attentive to ensure what the state has so far failed to guarantee: that her health condition must be monitored," she urged. Ruth also shows physical deterioration and underwent surgery on May 15 to remove a 3-centimeter tumor from her right breast. Crucially, neither Ruth nor her family knows the biopsy results or if she is receiving ongoing medical follow-up.

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I call on the international community to remain vigilant and attentive to ensure what the state has so far failed to guarantee: that her health condition must be monitored.

Further compounding the concerns, López reportedly has high blood pressure and is subjected to a diet high in salt and carbohydrates. She has also allegedly been denied access to her lawyers. The family awaits information on when the next hearing in her criminal case will take place, as the deadline for the preliminary hearing has already passed.

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We are still waiting for them to inform us about Ruth's hearing. It's already been...