El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America. The US-backed civil war, which erupted after the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero in 1980, lasted 12 years (1980-92), killing 70,000 people and forcing 20% of the nation’s five million people to seek refuge in the US.
Learn more here.
Join us for an evening of music, dance, appetizers and refreshments at IRTF’s annual Latin Dance on Saturday, June 13th! This event is a celebration of culture and solidarity, featuring talented dance instructers, delicious food, joyful movement, and connection with others (no partner needed)!
to register click here
IRTF is among the many organizations committed to human rights across the Americas urging the release of political prisoner Ruth López in El Salvador. May 18 marks one year since she was arrested at home in her pajamas on a Sunday at 9:30pm with the bogus charge of embezzlement. Ruth had been serving as lead human rights attorney for the organization Cristosal.
Despite Ruth’s request for a public trial, the Salvadoran government continues to pursue non-public proceedings, raising serious concerns about due process, transparency, and the protection of fundamental rights.
TAKE ACTION to demand the release of human rights lawyer Ruth López.
(1) Use the campaign toolkit to share Ruth’s story with social media graphics, sample posts, scripts to contact legislators. Click here.
(2) Repost and share campaign posts: Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook. #FreeRuth
(3) Circulate reports, interviews, statements, and stories about Ruth.
(4) Tell Congress to support legislation to condition US police/military aid to El Salvador on human rights improvements and request a US State Department briefing on efforts to secure the freedom of Ruth López. Click here
AP news examines US deportations to El Salvador under Bukeles state of exception
this article coherently summarizes the devestating reality of central american countries overlooked inspite of international warfare in the middle east and aisa demanding attention
A Salvadoran court opened proceedings Monday against 486 alleged MS-13 gang members who are being collectively charged with more than 47,000 crimes between 2012 and 2022.
Entering the San Salvador district of Mejicanos no longer means taking your life in your hands, like it did a decade ago when Kathya Quintanilla left home to meet a friend at a local park.
Thjis excerpt from a Christosal report highlights El Salvadors democrstic erosion under dictator Nayib Bukele.
to read the whole rreport click here
As El Salvador's state of emergency turns four years old, families warn of the toll of the mass arrests on children.
To commemorate the martyrdom of St Oscar Romero of El Salvador (who was assassinated on March 24 1980), Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso invited Catholics and “all people of conscience and goodwill” to join him for a prayer gathering and march for an end to mass detention.
In a letter he ordered to be read in all Catholic parishes in his diocese on March 15, Bishop Seitz called mass detention and mass deportation a “grave moral evil.” He urged Catholics in El Paso who work for ICE and Border Patrol to obey God’s law over Trump’s.
His words are reminiscent of Archbishop Romero. In the final Sunday homily (sermon) he gave on March 23, 1980, Romero implored his fellow Salvadorans: “No soldier is obliged to obey an order against the law of God… No one has to observe an immoral law.I would like to make an appeal especially to the men of the army, and concretely to the National Guard, the police, and the troops. Brothers, you are of part of our own people. You are killing your own brother and sister campesinos, and against any order a man may give to kill, God’s law must prevail: «You shall not kill!»
As we remember Oscar Romero’s dedication to the Gospel of love and nonviolence on this 46th anniversary of his assassination, may God give us the courage to speak prophetically and act boldly to end the militarized repression we are experiencing in the US today.
In honor of the prophetic voice of Oscar Romero—silenced 46 years ago but still speaking truth to power through the resistance movements in El Salvador—we invite you to take part in the following:
A. National Call-In Days to Congress
Our asks to US senators and US representatives are: (1) halt the Trump nominee for ambassador to El Salvador; (2) investigate the Salvadorans who were disappeared into the CECOT prison in March 2025, (3) suspend security assistance to El Salvador in light of well-documented human rights abuses, including possible crimes against humanity.
B. Social Media Days of Action for Political Prisoners
Draw attention to: (1) the dangers that arbitrary arrest and prolonged detention without trial pose to Salvadorans in the US at risk of being deported to El Salvador; (2) the need for solidarity with human rights defender Fidel Zavala and members of the La Floresta environmental defenders; (3) the launch of a new online photo gallery to honor some of the over 400 people who have died in prison since the start of the State of Exception; (4) the call for documentation through interviews with families of those deported to El Salvador since March 2022 about their experiences since being forcibly returned. See tinyurl.com/4bsut3ss or call Professor Sarah Bishop at CUNY: (646) 504-6340.
C. Solidarity with people’s resistance to harmful metallic mining in El Salvador. Click here to register for the webinar on Monday, March 30.
D. Other ways to take action: (1) resources for learning more about the state of exception: (2) post cards to El Salvador’s political prisoners and other victims of the State of Exception; (3) follow social media handles: Bloque de Resistencia y Rebeldia Popular (IG: @bloquepopular, X: @Bloque_RP, Facebook); Movemiento de Víctimas del Regimen (MOVIR) (Facebook)
