As the State of Exception proceeds into its third year, and with the inauguration of Nayib Bukele to his second term as president, the government continues its political maneuvers to intimidate anyone who expresses political dissent.
During a two-day period before the presidential inauguration, the National Civil Police (PNC) and the Office of the Attorney General (FGR) carried out the arrests of eight war veterans who are all members of the National Alliance El Salvador in Peace. In the case of 72-year-old José Atilio Montalvo, a leader of the Alliance, his family states that longstanding health concerns caused him to retire from political life years ago and that he is incapable of planning any crimes of which he is being accused. He has limited mobility due to his chronic health conditions.
On June 19, the Human and Community Rights Defense Unit of El Salvador (UNIDEHC) denounced the imprisonment of José Atilio Montalvo, whom they consider a political prisoner, arrested arbitrarily and without evidence. Due to the political dimensions of the arrest of José Atilio Montalvo, we echo their concerns.