Despite his massive popularity, El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has attained controversy for his hardline tactics in defeating the numerous gangs in his country. A group called "the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador" (CISPES) recently accused Representative Matt Gaetz's (R-FL) El Salvador Caucus of "whitewashing human rights abuses," which the Florida Congressman rebuked in a recent statement.
Rep. Gaetz, a friend and ally of Bukele, founded the El Salvador Caucus at the beginning of July with Texas Democrat Representative Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) to "promote a better understanding of issues related to the United States' relationship with El Salvador, [American] interests, and the interests of the United States."
However, CISPES suggested, per a report by human rights organization Cristosal, that the Bukele regime has engaged in "arbitrary detentions, torture, and deaths that raise serious concerns about the potential commission of crimes against humanity by the Salvadoran State."
Additionally, migration from the Central American country has been a product of "people leaving the country requesting asylum and refuge, claiming that they are fleeing state violence carried out by police and military officers."
Rep. Gaetz, however, quickly dismissed these claims in his statement, calling them "baseless" and accusing them of ignoring just how bad the gangs such as MS-13 indeed were.
"CISPES has baselessly accused the Congressional El Salvador Caucus of 'whitewashing human rights abuses.' While the caucus has drawn attention to the many human rights abuses by gangs such as MS-13 and the successful operations by the government of El Salvador to restore law and order, CISPES has ignored the anarcho-tyranny of the gangs. Instead, they have attacked the lawful and necessary security measures installed by the El Salvadoran government and President Bukele.
Where was CISPES when dozens of innocent people were being murdered per day in El Salvador? Where was CISPES when El Salvador was the most dangerous country in the world? If CISPES truly stood in 'solidarity' with the people of El Salvador, they would support President Bukele's state of exception, which the people of El Salvador support by over 90%," the Florida Congressman fired back.
