"El Salvador’s 2017 prohibition against metallic mining is a widely popular measure and overturning it would be a death sentence for the small and densely-populated country with its scarce water sources, many of which are already contaminated." ips-dc.org/release-inte...

The 2023 arrest of the ADES Santa Marta water defenders took place as they and other activists voiced concerns that the Salvadoran government was considering reestablishing metals mining in El Salvador. Now, Bukele has openly signaled interest in overturning the 2017 prohibition on metallic mining.

The original verdict was based on lack of evidence there was any crime to pursue. International Allies Against Mining in El Salvador, representing hundreds of organizations in over two dozen countries, condemns the retrial, which may signal deterioration of the judicial system's independence.

"The wealth defense industry is extracting rent from our charity system," warns Bella DeVaan. "Profit-seeking shouldn’t get anywhere near charitable giving, yet more and more finance and tech professionals are finding ways to further their control of how donations flow."

Assuming that their assets will grow at the same rate they have over the past five years, the assets held in DAFs and foundations will eclipse $2 trillion by 2026.

DAFs and foundations together take in 35% of all individual giving in the US. If these 2 types of intermediaries continue to grow at the rate they have for the past5 years, by 2028, they will take in half of all U.S. individual giving.

Among key findings, the report found that with each passing year, an additional 2 cents of each dollar donated by individuals is funneled into intermediaries like donor-advised funds (DAFs) — and away from working charities.