El Salvador: When security cannot be built without justice

The analysis revealed a country where the reduction of violence coexists with the progressive erosion of democracy and fundamental guarantees. I left convinced that the reality in El Salvador is far more complex than the image of a "miracle" often portrayed internationally.

It is undeniable that there are fewer homicides today and that many people feel they can walk about with greater peace of mind. However, the Human Rights Institute of the Central American University raised a question I consider fundamental: what price is being paid for this security? For security is not merely the absence of violence; it also requires independent institutions, respect for the rule of law, and the protection of everyone's rights.

According to the analysis presented, El Salvador can no longer be described as a full democracy. The institute maintains that the country has shifted toward an electoral autocracy: a system where elections still take place, but where the concentration of power, the loss of institutional independence, and the shrinking space for critical voices undermine the pillars of democracy. In other words, it is the final step before a dictatorship—a state where certain democratic forms remain, yet the actual exercise of power leaves increasingly little room for checks and balances, institutional oversight, or citizen participation.

One aspect that struck me deeply was learning about the situation of thousands of people detained under the state of exception. While some are members of criminal organizations, a significant number of innocent people remain in prison without having been able to prove their innocence. Many have lacked effective access to legal counsel or a judicial process that meets minimum due-process standards. As a Christian, I cannot help but think of the families suffering the anguish of seeing a son, daughter, mother, or father imprisoned—unable to be heard and, in some cases, unable even to visit their loved ones.

From a perspective of faith, human rights are neither a concession granted by the state nor merely a political concept. They stem from the conviction that every person is created in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, human dignity does not depend on a person's popularity, political standing, or the accusations leveled against them. Defending the right to a fair trial does not mean defending the crime; it means affirming that every person deserves to be treated with justice. Jesus himself identified with those in prison (Matthew 25:36), reminding us that the way we treat the most vulnerable reveals the depth of our faith. When an innocent person remains imprisoned without a real opportunity to defend themselves, not only is an individual right violated, but the justice God desires for all of society is also wounded.

Another troubling element is the climate surrounding public debate. In El Salvador, questioning abuses or calling for judicial safeguards is often portrayed as support for gangs or terrorism. This strategy dismisses the person rather than addressing their arguments, establishing fear as a mechanism of control. At the same time, the government drives an intense communications campaign to discredit journalists, social organizations, and human rights defenders who voice critical opinions. The result is an increasingly shrinking civic space.

The consequences are visible. Dozens of journalists and human rights defenders have been forced into exile for fear of reprisals, while other government critics have been imprisoned. When fear replaces debate, silence begins to take the place of freedom.

I am a pastor and a journalist. I believe the church has a responsibility to raise its voice precisely when doing so is uncomfortable. The Gospel never calls us to choose between security and justice. It calls us to seek true peace—a peace that protects life, but also dignity, truth, and freedom. We cannot remain indifferent when innocent people lack the means to defend themselves, nor when those who speak out against these situations are stigmatized, persecuted, or forced into exile.

The peace God desires for His people is never built upon fear. It is built upon truth, justice, and the unconditional defense of the dignity of every human being. Only such peace can endure.