The organization has been a thorn in the side of Bukele as it has documented abuses in the government's "war" on gang crime and the deprivation of liberty of hundreds of Venezuelans who have been deported from the USA.
The government has for a long time tried to suppress opposition and critics. But according to Cristosal's CEO Noah Bullock, the situation has deteriorated further since Bukele felt strengthened by his alliance with US President Donald Trump.
Bukele's government has unleashed a wave of repression in recent months. Civil society leaders, academics and even entrepreneurs have been driven away, he says to the news agency AP.
Cristosal was founded in 2000 by bishops to investigate human rights abuses after the country's brutal civil war.
The organization states that its staff has been persecuted by the police for several years, had their mobile phones bugged with spy programs and been affected by legal plots and smear campaigns. They are now closing down the head office in El Salvador and moving all staff to the neighboring countries Guatemala and Honduras.
