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The Road to Peace

Central Americas smallest and most densely populated country, El Salvador is a new frontier for travelers. Branded by its recent civil war, brutal government regimes, and human rights violations, travelers are now pushing through the outdated advisories and discovering for themselves the beauty, culture and history of this tiny country! So where did the violence begin? You could say over a cup of coffee. During the 20th century, El Salvadors coffee market surged with over 95% of the countries income, stemming from coffee exports. The problem, only 2% of the people controlled this wealth. Dozens of uprisings by indigenous peoples were met with violent government suppressions but none more so then in 1932, when over 30,000 indigenous people were killed. You can imagine the countrywide sentimentFear. Born of a wealthy family, your chance for kidnapping increased exponentially. Born of a poor family, the chance for poverty and starvation increased tragically.

Continuing into the 1970s, this string of violence and countrywide oppression hit an apex as liberal and conservative parties vied for power. The ultimate winner, however, were those with gunsthe military (backed by the right-wing parties). It wasnt until 1979, that a federation grew strong enough to challenge the corrupt government. The FMLN was a revolutionary army comprised of 5 guerilla groups, all of who dedicated their lives to reform. The FMLN first tried political revolts but were met with severe violence. Death squads, created by the government to prevent military coups, were also responsible for the torture, rape and murder of thousands of Salvadorans who sided with reform, trade unions, or quite simply, peace. Unable to penetrate politically, the FMLN forged a new strategy. Hitting the government where it would hurt most! Burning coffee plantations, blowing up bridges and obstructing trade routes the FMLN delivered monetary sucker punches to the lucrative coffee trade.

Finally, in 1990, the UN stepped in to assist the FMLN with peace talks and in 1992 the government signed a peace treaty (ending the 12 year civil war).
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The government agreed to view the FMLN as an opposition party and replace death squads and paramilitary groups with a civil service police force. Other reforms included land redistribution and human rights investigations, both of which are from being realized. The government, for instance, already granting amnesty to those wealthy and political individuals accused of human rights crimes. El Salvador is still a work in progress. A country plagued by violence and oppression but hopeful for peace and economic betterment. The violence of the past is never far from anyones minds (as the shot gun, ready police would suggest) but the smiles and positive attitude of locals, represent the future!

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