El Salvador is a country that has been in a constant and rapid change in the last 5 years. You can see that many things have changed when it comes to infrastructure, but most importantly in terms of security. I am going to provide what I think about this, what can possibly change and what the impact is in the short, mid, and long-term.
As humans, we all hold diverse opinions, and mine is no exception. It is not presented as definitive or superior. Should you disagree with any of my points, please express your thoughts constructively and respectfully, avoiding confrontation.
Please note that some short stories may not appeal to everyone. Feel free to skip those sections if they are not to your taste.
A Recent Past of Pervasive Fear
For decades my country was known as one of the most dangerous countries in the world. This created a lot of first impressions for people who wanted to visit El Salvador and it also created a sense of urgency for Salvadorans to run away and start a new life in another country.
Life was a constant struggle, overshadowed by pervasive fear. Parents lived in terror of their children being abducted and forced into gang membership. The simple act of using public transportation was fraught with peril, as robberies and even loss of life were ever-present threats.
Even just walking on the street was a huge risk because you were afraid of everyone, protecting your belongings like there’s no tomorrow. You often saw men carrying their backpacks in the front instead of using them as you can normally use them, in the back. Some students even used locks on their backpacks to avoid their classmates stealing their belongings or their money.
People were not happy, and just the upper class was able to enjoy without worrying too much about being robbed or getting killed. The El Salvador you see nowadays is nowhere near to what it was before. A country full of fear, with a survival instinct and the nerves on the edge.
A Dark History: La Matanza
El Salvador’s history has always been a dark one, my country hasn’t had many good stories or fairy tales. One of the most tragic and possibly darkest events was caused by Maximiliano Hernández Martínez, who was a military officer and politician who served as President of El Salvador from 1931 to 1944.
His rule is considered a dictatorship and a significant period in El Salvador’s history. He suppressed political opposition, censored the press, banned strikes, and militarized security forces like the Guardia Nacional.
A significant and widely condemned event during his presidency was the violent quashing of a peasant rebellion in January 1932. Hernández Martínez ordered a massive military response to the revolt, resulting in “La Matanza.” This event led to the deaths of 10,000 to 30,000 people, primarily indigenous individuals, many of whom may not have been involved in the uprising.
The Scars of the Civil War
Probably you have heard president Nayib Bukele talk about the civil war during his speeches. The Salvadoran Civil War, a conflict spanning from 1980 to 1992, involved the U.S.-backed Salvadoran military government and the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN), a coalition of leftist guerrilla groups.
My mother recounted harrowing tales of the war, vividly describing its brutality. She often spoke of the period between 3 and 5 PM when the sounds of gunfire would erupt, accompanied by military shouts and the commotion of soldiers pursuing and engaging guerrilla fighters.
A neighbor, involved with the guerrillas, was captured by the military once his affiliation became known. He was taken from his home and killed in front of his wife, who was then left to retrieve his body.
My mom often recounts how she protected my sister during difficult times. She would lead her to the secure kitchen area, barricade the door with furniture, and they would hide under a table. There, with candles, food, and drinks, they would sleep.
My mother worked at the local school, which was not far from home. She mentioned that the military frequently loitered near the school, closely observing both teachers and students.
During that period, schools were largely deserted, yet the academic staff was still required to report for work. How were you supposed to stay calm if armed people were always observing you?
My mother and sister rarely speak of those times, only when prompted. While they appear to be well-adjusted and free of trauma from that period, I understand that discussing those and many other experiences they endured, remains challenging for them.
The Origins of the Gangs
All of this created a negative mindset in Salvadorans, thinking that we would never be able to change, that our life was always at risk, that because of the poor situation we had to escape the country and make our life in a new country like the U.S.
The Salvadoran Civil War caused many Salvadorans to leave the country in search of a better life. This diaspora contributed to the formation of gangs, as young Salvadorans, emulating existing U.S. gangs, founded MS-13 and Barrio 18 in Los Angeles, California.
Mara Salvatrucha, for instance, was established by Salvadoran immigrants seeking to protect themselves from other gangs. The name “Mara Salvatrucha” is believed to be a fusion of “mara” (gang), “Salva” (referring to Salvadoran), and “trucha” (street smarts).
The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA), signed by President Clinton, dramatically increased the types of crimes that could lead to the deportation of non-citizens.
This legislative shift resulted in the widespread deportation of thousands of Central American immigrants with criminal records. Many of these individuals had been raised in the United States and had significant connections to Los Angeles gangs.
Deported to El Salvador, these gang members, armed with U.S. street gang knowledge and experience, established new local “cliques” or chapters. Their operations and culture quickly proliferated within an already unstable post-war country.
On June 20, 2010, El Salvador experienced a notorious and tragic event: the Mejicanos microbus massacre. In this attack, gang members set fire to a microbus in the Mejicanos municipality, trapping passengers inside.
The extreme violence of the attack was a retaliatory act. It occurred after an MS-13 rival gang member killed a Barrio 18 member. The microbus was targeted because its route traversed territory controlled by MS-13.
A horrific attack resulted in the deaths of as many as 17 people and left several more injured. Witnesses described hearing screams and gunfire as passengers attempted to flee. Some passengers who jumped from the burning vehicle were tragically shot by gang members. A baby was among those who lost their lives.
I once had a traumatic encounter with a gang member during my hometown’s local festivities. I was at a disco when my mom called, asking me to come home. I stepped outside to take the call, and as I finished, I noticed a guy staring at me. I tried to get back into the disco quickly, but he reached me and started to say, “Give me the…” He stopped mid-sentence when he recognized me. He then offered advice: “If someone approaches you like this, don’t run away. Just give up your belongings, because they might kill you.”
This event deeply affected me. I became afraid to go out and was wary of everyone. When we traveled back to San Salvador, I would always hide my face, terrified that someone would board the bus and abduct me. I was just a child back then.
The State of Emergency
Following a surge in homicides, the Bukele administration implemented a state of emergency in March 2022, which has since seen multiple extensions. This measure led to the suspension of certain constitutional rights and the mass arrest of over 80,000 people without warrants, resulting in their imprisonment.
The visible presence of military and police patrols on the streets was a cause for concern, with some even likening it to a return to the civil war era. For me, it was a bit concerning because you didn’t know if the gangs were going to take up arms and fire against the patrol near your place.
The announcement of gang member arrests marked a significant shift in public perception of the military, transforming fear into respect. Videos circulated widely, depicting soldiers kicking, humiliating, and taunting captured gang members with remarks like, “without guns or your homies, you’re just a pile of shit.”
These videos garnered widespread approval from Salvadorans, who praised the military and even called for death sentences for gang members. This sentiment doesn’t stem from a general desire for death but from the profound pain caused by the gangs’ control over the country.
While human rights activists condemned such treatment as inhumane, many Salvadorans argue that these activists, who did not experience life in El Salvador, remained silent during the widespread murders, rapes, and societal collapse caused by the gangs.
You may recall my traumatic experience. During the state of emergency, my mother informed me that the individual I had encountered was killed, and his brother was imprisoned. Today, I can speak about this without difficulty. In fact, by the time I moved to San Salvador at age 15, I had already forgotten the entire ordeal.
A New El Salvador
El Salvador is undergoing a remarkable transformation, boasting over a thousand days without murders. This newfound safety allows residents to walk freely at night, use public transportation without fear of robbery, and even openly use their phones for pictures.
As a Canadian friend aptly noted, “everything I took for granted in Canada, it’s just starting to take place in El Salvador.” This marks the dawn of a new era for Salvadorans—a refreshed nation with a forward-thinking vision and mentality.
While it’s impossible to erase the past, there’s no need to hide it. Instead, El Salvador confronts its history, acknowledging the many difficult events overcome and celebrating its consistent triumph.
Many foreigners mistakenly perceive El Salvador as a first-world country. I once watched a video where a girl complained about potholes on the sidewalks, asking, “If I fall and get injured, who do I sue?” This video generated considerable animosity towards her and a certain type of tourists who believe they are “saving” the country simply by visiting and spending their money.
Remaining Challenges and the Mental Shift
As I write this, much remains to be done. While people now feel safe and eager to enjoy the country, there’s growing concern about the rising cost of living. Despite minimum wage adjustments, the economic situation has not sufficiently improved.
There’s an expectation for rapid change. People are quick to voice complaints if they don’t see swift progress. This isn’t a new phenomenon, but the quick improvements in security have set a precedent, leading to demands for equally fast results in other areas.
Despite experiencing and enjoying new opportunities, a pervasive survival mindset persists. This is due to people not fully adapting to the new era of security. The rapid pace of change means that some individuals struggle to comprehend it, leaving them behind. This suggests a difficulty in grasping that these changes necessitate a personal shift in perspective.
The emergence of new infrastructure, laws, destinations, and activities demands a new mindset. We must transition from merely surviving to truly “living.” This transformation is complex, as a change in mindset isn’t instantaneous. It requires a continuous societal education, teaching fundamental behaviors such as greeting others, acknowledging people when appropriate, and refraining from littering.
Numerous educational reforms have been implemented, and this administration has seen several changes in the Ministry of Education. These reforms include introducing technology into schools, such as providing free tablets and laptops to students, and even incorporating Bitcoin into the curriculum.
These initiatives are just the initial steps, and their full impact will not be immediately apparent, as they are designed to benefit future generations. Our country is progressing, and we must continue to evolve for the betterment of Salvadoran society, learning from our past mistakes.
Those who resist change may feel left behind, not because they are, but because they have chosen not to adapt with the nation. While individual choice is paramount, collective evolution strengthens us all.
The Path Forward
El Salvador is brimming with opportunities, and as Salvadorans, we must seize them to build a brighter future, not just for ourselves, but for generations to come. We understand that parents aspire to shield their children from the hardships they endured, which necessitates a collective effort to forge this future.
While these aspirations are commendable, achieving true change requires significant effort. Individuals must embrace wise choices and move forward from the past, despite the inherent difficulties.
The nation’s economic state and societal values are contributing to a growing disparity. Locals observe tourists and foreigners acquiring properties and establishing businesses, while many Salvadorans continue to face financial hardship. This situation highlights the urgent need for change.
True transformation may not be immediately apparent, but in the coming 20 to 50 years, or perhaps even sooner, we will witness how our current endeavors pave the way for a new era that benefits everyone.
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