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Political exiles fleeing Bukele''s crackdown in El Salvador say ''history is repeating itself''

El Salvador's Political Exiles: Fleeing Repression Under Bukele's Rule

In the shadow of El Salvador's volcanic landscapes and bustling cities, a growing wave of political exiles is reshaping the nation's narrative. President Nayib Bukele, the self-styled "coolest dictator in the world," has consolidated power through aggressive anti-gang measures and a charismatic social media presence, but at what cost? A recent surge in political repression has forced opposition figures, journalists, activists, and former officials to flee the country, seeking refuge abroad amid fears of arrest, harassment, and violence. This exodus highlights the deepening authoritarian tendencies in a nation once hailed as a beacon of post-civil war democracy in Central America.

Bukele's rise to power in 2019 marked a seismic shift in Salvadoran politics. The millennial leader, with his baseball caps and Twitter savvy, promised to eradicate the gang violence that has plagued the country for decades. His "Territorial Control Plan" and subsequent state of emergency, declared in March 2022, have led to the arrest of over 80,000 suspected gang members, dramatically reducing homicide rates and earning him widespread popularity at home. Polls show approval ratings hovering around 90%, and his Nuevas Ideas party dominates the legislature. Yet, critics argue that these gains come at the expense of civil liberties, with the government accused of eroding judicial independence, stifling free speech, and targeting dissenters.

Among the exiles is Claudia Ortiz, a former opposition lawmaker who fled to the United States in late 2023. Ortiz, a vocal critic of Bukele's policies, described her departure as a last resort after receiving anonymous threats and facing baseless legal charges. "I never imagined I'd have to leave my country to speak freely," she told reporters from her new home in exile. Her story is emblematic of a broader pattern: politicians from the traditional parties like ARENA and FMLN, which Bukele has vilified as corrupt relics of the past, are increasingly finding themselves in the crosshairs. Ortiz recounted how government-aligned media outlets smeared her reputation, labeling her a "terrorist sympathizer" for questioning the mass incarcerations under the state of emergency.

Journalists, too, have borne the brunt of this crackdown. The case of Roman Gressier, an American-Salvadoran reporter, underscores the perils faced by the press. Gressier, who worked for independent outlets, was detained briefly in 2022 on vague charges of "inciting disorder." Fearing further reprisals, he relocated to Mexico, where he continues to report on Salvadoran affairs from afar. "The government doesn't just silence you; they make you disappear from the public eye," Gressier said in an interview. Independent media in El Salvador has dwindled, with many outlets self-censoring to avoid harassment. The Committee to Protect Journalists has documented dozens of cases of intimidation, including cyber attacks and physical threats, since Bukele took office.

Human rights activists form another significant contingent of exiles. Organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have condemned the arbitrary detentions and reports of torture in overcrowded prisons, dubbed "mega-prisons" by the government. One prominent figure is Ruth Eleonora López, a lawyer and activist who advocated for victims of state violence. López fled to Costa Rica after her home was raided and she was accused of "conspiracy" for her work documenting abuses. "We're not criminals; we're defenders of democracy," she asserted. Her exile reflects a chilling effect on civil society, where NGOs face funding cuts, surveillance, and legal obstacles imposed by Bukele's administration.

The repression extends to former government officials who have fallen out of favor. Take the example of Ernesto Castro, not to be confused with the current legislative president of the same name, but a mid-level bureaucrat who served under previous administrations. After publicly criticizing Bukele's Bitcoin adoption as a "gimmick" that distracted from economic woes, he was hit with corruption probes that he claims are politically motivated. Now in exile in Spain, Castro warns that Bukele's control over the judiciary—evidenced by the 2021 purge of judges and the attorney general—ensures that dissenters have no fair recourse. "The courts are just an extension of the president's will," he said.

This pattern of exile is not isolated; it's part of a broader strategy to neutralize opposition ahead of elections. In February 2024, Bukele secured a landslide reelection, but not without controversy. The Supreme Electoral Tribunal, stacked with loyalists, barred several opposition candidates on technicalities, while the state of emergency suspended key constitutional rights, including freedom of assembly. Exiles like former presidential candidate Rubén Zamora, now in the U.S., argue that the vote was neither free nor fair. "Bukele has turned El Salvador into a one-man show," Zamora lamented, pointing to the government's use of Pegasus spyware to monitor critics, as revealed by international investigations.

Internationally, the situation has drawn mixed reactions. The United States, under the Biden administration, has imposed sanctions on several Bukele allies for corruption and human rights violations, including travel bans and asset freezes. However, Bukele's anti-gang successes have garnered quiet admiration from some quarters, complicating diplomatic relations. In Latin America, leaders like Mexico's Andrés Manuel López Obrador have praised Bukele's security model, while others, such as Chile's Gabriel Boric, have voiced concerns over democratic backsliding. The United Nations has called for an end to the state of emergency, citing over 200 deaths in custody and thousands of wrongful arrests.

For those who remain in El Salvador, the atmosphere is one of cautious optimism mixed with fear. Supporters of Bukele point to safer streets and economic initiatives like the Bitcoin City project as evidence of progress. "He's doing what no one else could," said a San Salvador resident in a street interview. Yet, the exiles' stories paint a darker picture: families torn apart, careers derailed, and a nation divided. Many exiles coordinate from abroad through networks like the Salvadoran Diaspora for Democracy, advocating for international pressure and sharing testimonies to keep the spotlight on repression.

The economic underpinnings of this crisis cannot be ignored. El Salvador's adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021 was meant to attract investment and reduce remittance costs, but volatility has led to losses, exacerbating inequality. Critics in exile argue that Bukele's focus on spectacle—such as surfing events and futuristic city plans—diverts attention from pressing issues like poverty and unemployment, which affect over 25% of the population. "Bitcoin is a distraction from the real chains binding our people," said an exiled economist now based in Canada.

As the number of political exiles swells—estimates suggest hundreds, if not thousands, have left since 2022—the long-term implications for El Salvador's democracy are profound. Will Bukele's model inspire copycats in the region, or will it unravel under the weight of its own excesses? Exiles like Ortiz remain hopeful, organizing virtual forums and lobbying foreign governments for support. "We may be outside our borders, but our fight for El Salvador continues," she declared.

This exodus is a stark reminder that security and authoritarianism often walk hand in hand. In Bukele's El Salvador, the price of peace appears to be freedom, leaving a generation of voices silenced or scattered across the globe. As the world watches, the fate of these exiles may well determine whether the tiny Central American nation can reclaim its democratic soul or descend further into one-man rule. The stories of those who fled serve as a testament to resilience amid repression, a call to action for the international community to address the erosion of rights in the name of order. (Word count: 1,048)

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