The heart-wrenching story of José Duval: justice and human rights in El Salvador.

The story of José Duval Mata is a grim reflection of the current situation in El Salvador, where thousands of people are behind bars under a state of emergency that has been justified by President Nayib Bukele's administration as a necessary response to gang violence. Despite the fact that justice has ordered his release on two occasions, José, a 26-year-old young man, remains incarcerated in the notorious Terrorism Confinement Center, known as Cecot, under conditions described as severe and dehumanizing. The situation escalated in April 2022, when José was arrested by soldiers in his rural community of La Noria after being identified as a suspect of gang affiliation. This marked the beginning of a nightmare that has kept him in jail for over two years, despite his mother, Marcela Alvarado, presenting multiple pieces of evidence of his innocence, including documents that contrast with the typical profile of a gang member in El Salvador. Since his arrest, more than 70,000 people have been detained under the same regime, including an alarming number exceeding 3,000 minors. This policy has raised concerns about the respect for human rights and due process, as arrests are made without adequate legal guarantees and often without concrete evidence to justify the accusations. José's situation is an emblematic case of a system criticized for its arbitrariness and lack of transparency. José's mother has tried in vain to communicate with authorities, but her efforts have been met with silence and indifference. Each week, she brings food to the prison, hoping to see her son, only to be informed that he has been transferred to an even harsher facility. Her anguish is compounded by the uncertainty regarding José's well-being and life, as she has not received any confirmation of his existence for over a year. José's detention, which was initially ordered by a judge, became even more complicated when, after being temporarily released, he was arrested again at the prison gates. This phenomenon of “double prosecution” has been denounced by human rights organizations as an arbitrary practice that violates due process standards. The legal situation of many prisoners has turned into a labyrinth with no exit, where justice seems to be under strict and oppressive control. Since Bukele's administration, it has been argued that these measures are necessary to restore security in a country that has suffered for decades under the yoke of gangs. However, this policy has been criticized for transforming the prison system into a place of extreme punishment, where human rights are constantly violated. Images that circulated of inmates being treated like war criminals have fueled discontent among many human rights defenders. President Bukele has defended his hardline approach, claiming that it has brought calm back to the streets and that the mistakes made are minimal. Nevertheless, the rhetoric of his government contrasts sharply with the desperation of families like José's, who feel that their loved ones are victims of a system that prioritizes politics over justice. During a recent conference, Bukele dismissed criticisms by stating that his administration is willing to do whatever it takes to combat crime. José's case is not only an example of the failures of the Salvadoran judicial system but also a wake-up call for a more humane and just approach to the treatment of prisoners' rights. With growing concern from the international community and the intervention of organizations like Human Rights Watch, there is hope that the voices calling for justice will be heard. As José's story continues to unfold, his mother clings to hope. Despite the pain and uncertainty she has endured, she still believes that her son is alive and that one day he will be freed. In her words, “I am putting my trust in God. It is all I can do.” In El Salvador, where the fight against impunity and the protection of human rights has become increasingly critical, José Duval Mata's story resonates as a testament to the struggle for justice in times of crisis.