The water defenders Miguel Ángel Gámez, Alejandro Laínez García, Pedro Antonio Rivas Laínez, the director of the Association for Economic and Social Development Santa Marta (ADES Santa Marta) Antonio Pacheco and the legal expert Saúl Agustín Rivas Ortega were arbitrarily detained accused by El Salvador's Attorney General of an alleged murder that occurred in 1989, during the country's civil war, and of illicit association. They were leaders of the historic and successful campaign that convinced the Salvadoran legislature to unanimously approve a ban on metal mining in 2017.

On 3 April 2024, the court held a preliminary hearing that concluded on 10 April 2024, resulting in the court’s decision to proceed with a trial against the human rights defenders.