El Salvador Human Rights Lawyer Ruth López Still in Jail One Year After Arrest

Human rights lawyer and anti-corruption advocate Ruth López remains in pretrial detention in El Salvador one year after her arrest, according to Human Rights Watch and other rights groups.

Her continued detention has become a new flashpoint in the country’s record on due process and judicial transparency. Rights organizations say the case remains under judicial seal, limiting public access to details of the charges and proceedings.

One year in custody

López was arrested on May 18, 2025. Human Rights Watch said on the one-year anniversary that she is still being held without trial and that a judge has extended her pretrial detention through June 2026.

Amnesty International said in July 2025 that López is a prisoner of conscience. In September 2025, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights granted precautionary measures in her favor, saying she faced serious and urgent risk of irreparable harm.

Recent reporting on May 17 and May 18, 2026 also marked the anniversary and documented public calls for her release.

What rights groups say

Human Rights Watch says López should receive an open trial and access to counsel. Other regional and international rights groups have used the case to warn about prolonged pretrial imprisonment and a lack of transparency in politically sensitive proceedings.

The latest verified reporting indicates no public breakthrough in the case. The next key date is June 2026, when the current detention period is due to expire unless authorities move earlier on the case.

What happens next

The main open questions are whether Salvadoran authorities will advance the case before the current detention period ends and whether there will be any new ruling, charge change or access-to-counsel development in the coming weeks.