Protesters gathered outside the courthouse in San Salvador, denouncing the trial of a dozen individuals accused of plotting against President Nayib Bukele's inauguration. The proceedings, initially scheduled to begin on August 12, 2026, have been postponed to September 7. Family members and supporters of the accused, including former leftist guerillas, ex-soldiers, and a media worker, described the trial as a 'judicial barbarity,' citing irregularities and a lack of concrete evidence.
The defendants, arrested between May and June 2024, face charges related to planning explosions at gas stations, supermarkets, and other public locations intended to disrupt Bukele's inauguration on June 1, 2024. Despite the alleged plot, the inauguration proceeded without incident. The protesters argue that the defendants are being tried under the state of emergency, which they believe is being misused, and that the secret trials conducted under this state hinder the defense's ability to prepare.
Mextli Montalvo, daughter of one of the accused, Atilio Montalvo—a signatory of the 1992 peace accords—stated that from the beginning, her father and the others have been wrongfully accused. Montalvo, who is facing health issues, is the only defendant not currently detained. The protesters called for the immediate release of all defendants and demanded their acquittal, emphasizing the lack of credible evidence against them.
President Bukele, whose party holds a legislative majority and whose allies control the judiciary, is set to seek a third term in February 2027, following legal reforms allowing for indefinite re-election. The state of emergency, in place since Bukele's war on gangs, has led to the detention of around 92,000 people without court orders, raising concerns among international organizations about potential human rights abuses.
The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of due process under the state of emergency, with defense lawyers highlighting the challenges posed by secret trials. Rosa Flores, another family member of the accused, expressed frustration over the lack of transparency and the use of 'faceless judges,' who remain anonymous as part of the emergency measures. The protesters' demands reflect broader concerns about the state of justice in El Salvador under Bukele's administration.
