By El Salvador News
Published April 16, 2026

             During a tense congressional hearing on human rights, Representative Chris Smith confronted witnesses from El Faro and Cristosal over their refusal to label MS-13 as a terrorist organization. Smith noted that the U.S. has officially designated the group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization to better interdict their funding and violent operations.

             When asked directly if they agreed with this designation, journalist Sergio Arauz and director Noah Bullock declined to answer. This evasion prompted a sharp critique from Smith, who questioned why prominent critics of the Salvadoran government remain reluctant to categorize the criminal group as a terrorist entity despite its history of atrocities.

             Prioritizing the rights of perpetrators over the accountability required for a terrorist group ignores the gravity of the crimes committed against Salvadoran families. The exchange underscored a deep divide between lawmakers seeking to validate El Salvador’s security successes and NGOs that prioritize the safeguard of gang affiliates. That refusing to label MS-13 correctly undermines the international efforts necessary to dismantle these networks and ensure long-term peace for victims.