IRTF News

In honor of the prophetic voice of Oscar Romero—silenced 46 years ago but still speaking truth to power through the resistance movements in El Salvador—we invite you to take part in the following:

A. National Call-In Days to Congress

Our asks to US senators and US representatives are: (1) halt the Trump nominee for ambassador to El Salvador; (2) investigate the Salvadorans who were disappeared into the CECOT prison in March 2025, (3) suspend security assistance to El Salvador in light of well-documented human rights abuses, including possible crimes against humanity.

B. Social Media Days of Action for Political Prisoners

Draw attention to: (1) the dangers that arbitrary arrest and prolonged detention without trial pose to Salvadorans in the US at risk of being deported to El Salvador; (2) the need for solidarity with human rights defender Fidel Zavala and members of the La Floresta environmental defenders; (3) the launch of a new online photo gallery to honor some of the over 400 people who have died in prison since the start of the State of Exception; (4) the call for documentation through interviews with families of those deported to El Salvador since March 2022 about their experiences since being forcibly returned. See tinyurl.com/4bsut3ss or call Professor Sarah Bishop at CUNY: (646) 504-6340.

C. Solidarity with people’s resistance to harmful metallic mining in El Salvador. Click here to register for the webinar on Monday, March 30.

D. Other ways to take action: (1) resources for learning more about the state of exception: (2) post cards to El Salvador’s political prisoners and other victims of the State of Exception;  (3) follow social media handles: Bloque de Resistencia y Rebeldia Popular (IG: @bloquepopular, X: @Bloque_RP, Facebook); Movemiento de Víctimas del Regimen (MOVIR) (Facebook)

On March 25, Ohio Immigrant Alliance  released a report about the Hotline’s first year of existence, using Hotline operations data, called “Connecting Ohio: The Ohio Immigrant Hotline’s First Year in Action.”

Click here to download the report. 

This article examines "Operation  Total Extermination", and how Trumps Donroe Doctrine is expected to cause a widespread US militarization across the Western Hemisphere. 

This Bloomberg Law article examines chief immigration judge Teresa Riley,  in her role in helping carry out Trump’s deportation agenda by pushing judges to deny more asylum claims and restrict bond hearings. It also raises concerns about her courtroom conduct and the impact of her guidance on immigrants’ chances of staying in the U.S.

This article exposes how El Salvador’s so‑called “security model,” praised internationally for reducing crime, is actually built on widespread human rights abuses

The January attacks by the criminal organization Barrio 18 sought to destabilize the country to benefit well-connected political elites who have challenged the government of President Bernardo Arévalo. NACLA provides analysis of Guatemala's ongoing challenges and efforts to end impunity. 

This article prents a report by a group of international jurists, reviewing Bukeles governmnet and contradictions between domestic popularity in El Salvador and how international organizations judgement of the government. 

another notable article about El Salvador mass arrests: click

Between 2015 and 2025, Honduras recorded 113 murders of environmental defenders, and nine out of ten cases remain unpunished, according to data from the Association for a More Just Society (ASJ). The departments of Colón, Yoro, and Atlántida account for the majority of these crimes, in territories marked by conflicts over land and natural resources. Meanwhile, environmental organizations and defenders denounce the lack of progress in investigations and the absence of state protection for those who defend the environment.

The history of bananas makes many people uncomfortable.

The industry is rooted in power imbalance. Whether it was tax-free land in Costa Rica (for United Fruit/Chiquita in 1884), forced labor by financing paramilitaries (2024 verdict for Colombian victims1), or chemicals like DBCP sold for use abroad even after having its production shut down in the U.S. for causing sterility2 (e.g. to Standard Fruit/Dole in Nicaragua3), there’s no shortage of examples of abuse of power and control. 

This article by Equal Exchange gives insight into what is possible when farmers are granted land and form co-ops unraveling power dynamics .

Cristosal says El Salvador is using the justice system to intimidate critics and silence dissent. The report argues that criminal charges and detention have become tools of political repression.