El Faro, a leading investigative news outlet in El Salvador, faces severe threats from President Nayib Bukele's government after exposing alleged gang deals. With the risk of arrest looming, journalists Carlos Barrera, Efren Lemus, and Victor Peña attempted to flee to Guatemala but remain uncertain about returning safely. This situation marks one of the most significant assaults on press freedom in El Salvador in decades, with potential charges including apologies for crimes and illicit association. The case reflects the escalating authoritarianism under Bukele's administration since 2019.
Andrés Guzmán, Bukele's presidential commissioner for human rights and freedom of expression, told The Post he had "no idea" whether any warrants were imminent against El Faro's staff.
Charges against the journalists could include apology for crimes and illicit association, indicating a direct attack on press freedom, which has intensified under Bukele's regime.
Carlos Barrera, Efren Lemus and Victor Peña weighed the risks of staying in El Salvador against fleeing to safety, illustrating the dire state of press freedom in the country.
Peña emphasized that conducting interviews with gang members does not equate to criminal activity, underscoring the role of journalism in exposing corruption and crime.
Collection
[
|
...
]