SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador | June 2025 — Enrique Anaya, a well-known constitutional lawyer and outspoken critic of President Nayib Bukele, has been arrested on charges of money laundering, according to El Salvador’s prosecutor’s office.
Anaya, who has publicly called Bukele a “dictator,” was detained at his home in Santa Tecla on Saturday. The arrest has sparked immediate concern from human rights organizations, which argue it is part of a broader campaign to intimidate and silence government critics.
Anaya has been one of the most persistent legal voices challenging the Bukele administration’s consolidation of power and constitutional reforms. His arrest comes amid growing concerns over the erosion of democratic institutions in the country.
Popularity vs. Civil Liberties
President Bukele remains highly popular among many Salvadorans due to his aggressive crackdown on the country’s violent gangs. However, critics say that his methods—often involving mass arrests, limited due process, and a clampdown on dissent—have come at the cost of civil liberties and judicial independence.
Rights groups warn that the detention of Anaya could mark another step toward authoritarianism. “This is not about justice—it’s about silencing opposition,” one international watchdog group said.
The government has not yet released detailed evidence related to the money laundering charges. Legal experts and civil society organizations are now calling for an independent review of the case.
