June 04th, 2026
#31 | Absent Voices, Enduring Resistance
This week, The Central American Drop examines the enduring legacies of power, repression, and resistance across Central America. At the center of this edition is the story of Indigenous Miskitu leader Brooklyn Rivera, whose reappearance after more than 970 days of forced disappearance has renewed scrutiny of the Nicaraguan government’s treatment of political opponents and Indigenous communities. Through a historical reflection by Pablo Guillén, we also explore the absences and silences that continue to shape Nicaragua’s collective memory.
In El Salvador, Adriana Ramírez reports on the case of Ruth López, whose voice has resonated far beyond prison walls after spending a year incarcerated under the country’s expanding security regime. Her story offers a window into the human consequences of policies enacted in the name of public safety.
We also examine the death of “El Viejo Lin,” one of the most influential gang leaders in recent Salvadoran history. His life—and death in prison—closes a chapter that intersected with successive governments, secret negotiations, and the evolution of gang power in the country.
These stories reveal a region still grappling with unresolved histories, contested narratives, and the lasting impact of state power on individual lives. From political imprisonment and enforced disappearances to the memories that survive them, this week’s edition explores the struggles shaping Central America’s present and future.
