El Salvador
This collection features materials about El Salvador,
primarily focusing on its post-colonial period and subsequent civil war. El
Salvador has felt the prolonged effects of colonialism since its independence
in 1821. After independence, the country was governed by wealthy families who
controlled the economic stability of El Salvador. Many of our materials focus
on the freedom fighter Farabundo Marti, who led a popular rebellion in the
1930s but was unsuccessful. Between the 1930s and the 1980s, oppressive regimes
continued to control El Salvador and poverty and political violence was common.
Many opposition parties rose as tensions continued to grow. In 1981 five
revolutionary organizations formed to create Frente Farabundo Marti para La
Liberacion Nacional (FMLN) to begin the first major military offensive against
the government. This led to a civil war that lasted from 1981 to 1992.
Throughout El Salvador’s post-colonial period, the oppressive governments were
backed and financially supported by the U.S. in an effort to protect their corporate
interests, and prevent the spread of communism and Marxism.
Documents
El Salvador: Terror and Hope
The terror of the El Salvador government’s armed forces from 1980 to 1990 is discussed. The discussion centers around the murder of the Arch Bishop of Oscar Ramiro and other members of the clergy within the Catholic church. The Catholic church’s alleged connection to the Salvadoran Armed Opposition (FMLN), through its assistance to the poor that had been ravaged by government bombings, is also examined. Primary accounts of torture by the government by a few people are also available.
Juan Carlo
An interview with Juan Carlo, one of the founding members of a secretive radio station in El Salvador called the Farabundo Marti, which was created during the military government’s tyranny in the country. The radio was a way of communicating to the people the political and social events that were occurring during this time when censorship was great. The radio station was supported by the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN). Spanish responses with translations.
Jamie Suriano Macon on the FMLN
Jamie Suriano Macon speaks of his experiences growing up in El Salvador in the 70’s, working with the Christian Democratic Party and having friends “disappeared” while working to open clinics in rural communities. He speaks of the dynamics of today’s (when it was recorded) El Salvadorian politics and the misperceptions of the guerilla’s intent in the country.
Lynn’s El Salvador Reportback
An East Bay women’s delegation speaks of their recent trip to El Salvador immediately following the peace accords ending the civl war there. They worked closely with a women’s delegation newly started there, learning and teaching, as well as visited a FMLN camp to see the conditions of the women soldiers there. A lot of good information about the condition of women in El Salvador paralleled with the delicate political situation there.
El Salvador Focus
El Salvador, the internal dynamics of peace negotiations are discussed, such as UN mediation, the outside support for the FMLN, Washington’s position on providing aid and women’s issues in El Salvador.
Prairie Fire Organizing Committee Program with Luis Flores
Call Number: LA 092Format: CassetteProgram: Prairie Fire Organizing CommitteeCollection: El Salvador
Luis Flores, a member of the FMLN, speaks of the impact of Nicaragua on El Salvador, the participation of the United States in El Salvadorian politics, the history of instability in El Salvador, the dynamics of “democracy” in Central America and the issue of free and fair elections.
Interview With Ramon Cordona
Call Number: LA 100Collection: El Salvador
Beginning with some children singing, this tape segues a few minutes in to an interview with Ramon Cordona, a representative of the FMLN to the United States. He tells the story of his humble beginnings and experiences with the FMLN, the construction of the FMLN forces, history of El Salvador and other issues of injustice in the war-torn country.
Interview With Colonel Jaime Guzman
Colonel Jaime Guzman of the El Salvadorian army, in an interview held at the School of the Americas, explains the women’s involvement in the military as social workers and their impact on society, the fight against the guerillas, the effect of Nicaragua’s change of government on El Salvador, and why Central Americans train at the School of the Americas.
FMLN and El Salvador News
Date: 12/1/1989Call Number: LA 085AFormat: Cass AProducers: Atlanta Committee for Latin AmericaProgram: A Defiant HeartCollection: El Salvador
Judy Gerber, host of a Defiant Heart, reads recent news from El Salvador concerning attacks in San Salvador and other major cities and the controversy surrounding the supply of arms to the FMLN.
El Savador in Focus; Program of Atlantic Committee on Latin America
Date: 10/21/1989Call Number: LA 086Format: CassetteProducers: Judy GerberProgram: El Savador in FocusCollection: El Salvador
Radio Farbundio Marti - Samuel Adams and Penelope Jones - News
- Negotiations between the FMLN and Christiani Government, call for a cease fire to end government repression. Negotiations ended with agreement to meet again.
Arnold Ramos (statement) FMLN FDR, need for international pressure, definitive end to govt. repression.
-Ten students from the National University are captured by security forces. Wave of repression against universities, send telegrams demanding their release.
Oct. 13 Gov. denies accusations by former soldier and death squad member of death squad activity.
National Union of Salvadorian workers released list of officials who participated in death squads.
Program of Atlantic Committee on Latin America, Host Judy Garber Discussion on Nicaragua and El Salvador. Announcing a protest on Mon. Nov. 6,1989 to denounce the bombing of legal civilian organizations in El Salvador and recent Contras attacks in Nicaragua.
Salvadorian Government attacked so called “Front Groups” including Mothers of the disappeared. UNTS responded with a letter stating that the general had fulfilled a promise to kill workers and that the workers were now at war with the government.
Sandinista Government has a cease fire with Contras yet they continue to come in to the country on the premise that they are registering to vote.
