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Congress: Speak out against Bukele's Repression and Unconstitutional Re-election Bid!

Join CISPES in calling on the U.S. Congress to speak out against Salvadoran president Nayib Bukele's assault on democracy and human rights - and challenge the State Department's tacit endorsement!

Social movement groups in El Salvador, led by workers, young people, feminists, and agricultural communities, are protesting in the streets to denounce Bukele’s human rights abuses and attempt to remain in office in the upcoming 2024 presidential elections in blatant violation of the constitution.

While Bukele arbitrarily arrests tens of thousands of innocent Salvadorans without due process, including union leaders, land defenders, and historic anti-mining activists, throughout a now-indefinite State of Exception, the Biden administration has largely chosen to look the other way.

On October 25, as President Bukele hyped the pending registration of his unconstitutional candidacy, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemispheric Affairs Brian A. Nichols met with Bukele at his Presidential Palace. On Twitter, Nichols described an “excellent meeting” in which they discussed topics including “bilateral collaboration on rule of law” and “mutual efforts to address irregular immigration.”

This visit solidifies a troubling trend of increased public U.S. support for the Bukele government in the months leading up to the 2024 presidential, legislative and municipal elections - and leaves no doubt as to the State Department's position when it comes to backing Bukele.

As Salvadoran and international human rights organizations and legal scholars decry the politically repressive climate of the upcoming elections, it is shameful, although not surprising, that the Biden administration is choosing to instead put their weight behind Bukele in hopes he will defend their economic and geopolitical interests - at the expense of the Salvadoran people.

That's why we need to push the U.S. Congress to speak out now in the critical months ahead of February's election. Use this form to send a message to your Rep and Senators today!

Send an email to your Rep and Senators in Congress calling on them to COUNTERACT the State Department's tacit endorsement of President Bukele and his unconstitutional reelection campaign and END security financing and training to Bukele’s repressive regime.

We just need few pieces of information to set up a sample email. NOTE: If you are asked for a title (and given limited options) this is a function of the Congressional offices' contact forms, not a request that CISPES is making or would make!

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Congress: Speak out against Bukele's Repression and Unconstitutional Re-election Bid!

House of Representatives

Subject: Defend democracy and human rights in El Salvador

Message:

I am writing to express my extreme concern about state repression in El Salvador. President Bukele is waging an assault on democracy, including his intention to remain in office for a second term in blatant violate the constitution. The government has suspended basic constitutional rights since March 2022. As a result, nearly 80,000 people have been arrested without warrants and, hundreds have died in state custody before ever having a trial. Bukele is systematically targeting labor leaders, land and water defenders, students, journalists, and others who are bravely speaking out. Rather than echo Salvadoran and international legal and human rights organizations who are sounding the alarm over political persecution, the ongoing suspension of due process, and the consolidation of a dictatorship, the State Department is ramping up public support for the Salvadoran government in the months leading up to the election. I was extremely alarmed to learn that Assistant Secretary of State Brian Nichols visited El Salvador on the eve of President Bukele’s official – and illegal – registration as a candidate, thereby sending a tacit message of U.S. support for his administration and its actions. Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to partner with the regime on many levels, including training and arming Salvadoran security forces that are being used to militarize entire communities in violation of the 1992 Peace Accords and repress dissent. As Members of Congress, it is urgent that you speak out now to counter the State Department’s tacit endorsement and refusal to confront this democratic and human rights crisis. I urge you to 1) denounce Bukele’s repression and attempt to remain in power unconstitutionally and 2) take action to withhold U.S. police, military, and judicial assistance.

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Senators

Subject: Def

Message:

I am writing to express my extreme concern about state repression in El Salvador. President Bukele is waging an assault on democracy, including his intention to remain in office for a second term in blatant violate the constitution. The government has suspended basic constitutional rights since March 2022. As a result, over 80,000 people have been arrested without warrants and, hundreds have died in state custody before ever having a trial. Bukele is systematically targeting labor leaders, land and water defenders, students, journalists, and others who are bravely speaking out. Rather than echo Salvadoran and international legal and human rights organizations who are sounding the alarm over political persecution, the ongoing suspension of due process, and the consolidation of a dictatorship, the State Department is ramping up public support for the Salvadoran government in the months leading up to the election. I was extremely alarmed to learn that Assistant Secretary of State Brian Nichols visited El Salvador on the eve of President Bukele’s official – and illegal – registration as a candidate, thereby sending a message of U.S. support for his administration and its actions. Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to partner with the regime on many levels, including training and arming Salvadoran security forces that are being used to militarize entire communities in violation of the 1992 Peace Accords and repress dissent. As Members of Congress, it is urgent that you speak out now to counter the State Department’s tacit endorsement and refusal to confront this democratic and human rights crisis. I urge you to 1) denounce Bukele’s repression and attempt to remain in power unconstitutionally and 2) take action to withhold U.S. police, military, and judicial assistance.

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