The European Union’s top trade negotiator, Maroš Šefčovič,

The anticorruption lawyer, who works for the nongovernmental organization Cristosal, has denied the accusations.Leaving the court after her hearing, López shouted “I am a political prisoner, the accusations are for my legal work, for my reporting this administration’s corruption. There are not institutions that guarantee Salvadorans rights. I am innocent.”

As she was escorted by police to her hearing Wednesday, a shackled López with a Bible between her hands, shouted: “They’re not going to silence me, I want a public trial,” according to a brief video posted by Cristosal on X. “The people have to know.”Earlier, defense attorney Pedro Cruz, surrounded by reporters in the courthouse, said he disagreed with the decision to seal the case. He said prosecutors had done so “because they fear they made an unfounded accusation.”Later he said that her defense team had solid arguments and evidence and hoped for a fair trial.

She had not made her initial appearance before a judge until Monday, more than two weeks after her arrest.At that hearing, prosecutors announced the illegal enrichment, different from the original embezzlement, and requested that she be held while they continue to investigate.

Cristosal has been an

of some of Bukele’s policies, including the state of emergency giving him special powers that has now been in place for more than three years.. The South Dakota Republican has few votes to spare in the GOP’s slim 53-seat majority.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., strides from the chamber after speaking about the reconciliation process to advance President Donald Trump’s spending and tax bill, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., strides from the chamber after speaking about the reconciliation process to advance President Donald Trump’s spending and tax bill, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Two of the Senate’s most fiscally hawkish Republicans quickly backed Musk.“We can and must do better,” Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul wrote on X. Utah Sen. Mike Lee said “federal spending has become excessive,” adding that it causes inflation and “weaponizes government.”