they-accuse-nayib-bukele's-government-of-political-persecution-due-to-an-arrest-warrant-against-a-criticThey accuse Nayib Bukele's government of political persecution due to an arrest warrant against a critic
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By The newspaper

Dec 24, 2023, 16:16 PM EST

Last Saturday, a provisional arrest warrant against the former deputy and former presidential candidate of El Salvador, Rubén Zamora, has triggered an intense debate in the political and social sphere of the country. Various actors have raised their voices, suggesting that this legal measure constitutes “political persecution” motivated by Zamora’s critical stance towards the Government of Nayib Bukele.

The resolution, linked to the case of the El Mozote massacre in 1981, also includes former president Alfredo Cristiani and former directors of the 1993 Legislative Assembly, among them Zamora, recognized for his critical position towards the current Government.

Judge Mirtala Portillo, in charge of the process, argues that these people would have covered up the defendants by enacting an amnesty law in 1993, according to the EFE agency.

Celia Medrano, vice presidential candidate for the Nuestro Tiempo (NI) party, has expressed her concern, calling the order indicative of “ignorance of verifiable historical facts.”

Furthermore, he has pointed out the possible exploitation of the judicial system for political purposes by the current Government.

It is important to remember that in 1993, the Legislative Assembly approved the amnesty law, which was declared unconstitutional in 2016 by the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice.

Medrano argues that, instead of targeting Rubén Zamora, actions should focus on the upper echelons of the Armed Forces, responsible for blocking access to military files related to the El Mozote massacre.

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The arrest order has sparked additional criticism, as covered by EFE.

Medrano suggests that this measure may be a reaction to the inclusion of three officials from the Institute for Access to Public Information (IAIP) on the list of “corrupt and undemocratic actors” in the United States.

Rubén Zamora’s daughter, filmmaker Marcela Zamora, has stated on her Facebook profile that her father is the object of “political persecution.” In her publication, she highlights the more than 40-year political and diplomatic career of his mother, underscoring his commitment to serving Salvadoran citizens.

Rubén Zamora, who was vice president of the Legislative Assembly and presidential candidate for the FMLN in 1994, as well as El Salvador’s ambassador to the United States and India, is currently part of the Citizen Resistance movement.

This movement has questioned Bukele’s candidacy for immediate re-election, alleging its unconstitutionality.

The situation continues to generate tensions in the Salvadoran political sphere, while public opinion closely follows the development of this case.

With information from EFE.

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