IRTF News

In El Salvador, defending human rights is becoming a criminal act. Members of the NGO UNIDEHC—lawyers, advocates, and community leaders—are facing raids, arrests, and even Interpol notices for standing up to forced evictions and state abuses. Human rights defender Fidel Zavala now faces three criminal cases and was returned to the very prison where he had denounced torture and death. This isn’t just repression—it’s retaliation, and it sends a chilling message to anyone who dares to speak out.

For nearly two decades, Maya Q’eqchi’ communities have fought a groundbreaking legal battle in Canada against Hudbay Minerals for violence, land evictions, and killings linked to Guatemala’s Fenix nickel mine. From the 2007 mass rape of 11 women to the murder of community leader Adolfo Ich, the struggle set a historic precedent for corporate accountability abroad. Now, with the lawsuits finally settled, a new report reveals the full story—exposing decades of Canadian mining interests, corruption, and repression in Guatemala, and connecting past injustices to ongoing stru

For nearly two decades, Maya Q’eqchi’ communities have fought a groundbreaking legal battle in Canada against Hudbay Minerals for violence, land evictions, and killings linked to Guatemala’s Fenix nickel mine. From the 2007 mass rape of 11 women to the murder of community leader Adolfo Ich, the struggle set a historic precedent for corporate accountability abroad. Now, with the lawsuits finally settled, a new report reveals the full story—exposing decades of Canadian mining interests, corruption, and repression in Guatemala, and connecting past injustices to ongoing struggles today.

to read the full report click here

Family separations are back — and happening in the shadows.
The Trump administration is once again tearing children from their parents, not just at the border but across the U.S. Leaked records, firsthand accounts, and legal filings reveal a chilling strategy: coerce deportation by threatening — or carrying out — family separation.

Since 2022, El Salvador’s state of exception has led to mass detentions and severe overcrowding in prisons. In this context, corruption has become systemic: families of detainees are forced to provide “donations” — including money, medicine, food, and supplies — in exchange for visits or information about their loved ones. Cases documented by Cristosal reveal that these practices are widespread, coercive, and institutionalized, turning basic human rights into commodities. The hidden business of the prison system exploits the desperation of families, perpetuates abuse, and erodes the rule of law.

Cristosal full length report: here

Brazil’s digital payment system PIX has sparked a new flashpoint with the Trump administration, which accuses it of undercutting U.S. tech giants. Brazil calls the investigation a threat to its sovereignty and a broader attempt to weaken its independence, as PIX becomes a global model for reducing reliance on the U.S. financial system.

The Supreme Court has allowed immigration agents to resume “roving patrols” in Los Angeles, targeting people based on race, language, or job—despite concerns of racial profiling. This lifts a previous court order that blocked such practices for violating constitutional rights. The decision, backed by the Court’s conservative majority, has sparked backlash for endangering civil liberties, especially for Latino U.S. citizens. The broader lawsuit is still ongoing.

Venezuelan men freed from an El Salvador prison share shocking stories of abuse they suffered while being held there. After months in captivity, they describe beatings, torture, and sexual assault in terrible conditions. Their testimonies shed light on the brutal treatment they faced at the hands of Salvadoran guards, with U.S. involvement raising urgent questions about responsibility and accountability. 

8. August 2025