Salvadoran Civil War

Quick Facts: Who was Salvadoran Civil War?

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Salvadoran Civil War

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A twelve-year civil war (1979–1992) in El Salvador between the government and leftist guerrillas.

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Origins & Early Life

The Salvadoran Civil War (Spanish: guerra civil de El Salvador) was a twelve-year civil war in El Salvador that was fought between the government of El Salvador that was backed by the United States, against the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN), a coalition of left-wing guerrilla groups that was backed by Cuba under Fidel Castro, Daniel Ortega's Nicaragua and the Soviet Union. A coup on 15 October 1979 followed by government killings of anti-coup protesters is widely seen as the start of the civil war. The war did not formally end until after the collapse of the Soviet Union, when, on 16 January 1992 the Chapultepec Peace Accords were signed in Mexico City. The United Nations (UN) reports that the war killed more than 75,000 people between 1979 and 1992, along with approximately 8,000 disappeared persons. Human rights violations, particularly the kidnapping, torture, and murder of suspected FMLN sympathizers by state security forces and paramilitary death squads, were pervasive.

Career & Major Achievements

The Salvadoran government was considered an ally of the U.S. in the context of the Cold War. During the Carter and Reagan administrations, the US provided economic aid to the Salvadoran government. The US also provided significant training and equipment to the military. By May 1983, it was reported that US military officers were working within the Salvadoran High Command and making important strategic and tactical decisions. The United States government believed its extensive assistance to El Salvador's government was justified on the grounds that the insurgents were backed by the Soviet Union.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Counterinsurgency tactics implemented by the Salvadoran government often targeted civilians. Overall, the United Nations estimated that FMLN guerrillas were responsible for 5 percent of atrocities committed during the civil war, while 85 percent were committed by the Salvadoran security forces. Accountability for these civil war-era atrocities has been hindered by a 1993 amnesty law. In 2016, however, the Supreme Court of Justice of El Salvador ruled in case Incostitucionalidad 44-2013/145-2013 that the law was unconstitutional and that the Salvadoran government could prosecute suspected war criminals. El Salvador has historically been characterised by extreme socioeconomic inequality.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1979: 1979 Milestone — A coup on 15 October 1979 followed by government killings of anti-coup protesters is widely seen as the start of the civil war.
2. 1983: 1983 Milestone — By May 1983, it was reported that US military officers were working within the Salvadoran High Command and making important strategic and tactical decisions.
3. 1992: 1992 Milestone — The war did not formally end until after the collapse of the Soviet Union, when, on 16 January 1992 the Chapultepec Peace Accords were signed in Mexico City.
4. 1993: 1993 Milestone — Accountability for these civil war-era atrocities has been hindered by a 1993 amnesty law.
5. 2016: 2016 Milestone — In 2016, however, the Supreme Court of Justice of El Salvador ruled in case Incostitucionalidad 44-2013/145-2013 that the law was unconstitutional and that the Salvadoran government could prosecute suspected war criminals.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Salvadoran Civil War

True or False: “The conflict formally ended immediately after the US withdrew all military support to the Salvadoran government in 1989.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The war did not formally end until the signing of the Chapultepec Peace Accords on January 16, 1992.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. P. Elkin — Historical peer (Died in 1979) (1979): Influential Australian anthropologist and Anglican clergyman (1891–1979)
• A. Philip Randolph — Historical peer (Died in 1979) (1979): Pioneer labor unionist and civil rights activist who fought for racial equality.
• 21 Savage — Historical peer (Born in 1992) (1992): Atlanta-based rapper known for his distinctive style and career evolution.
• 6lack — Historical peer (Born in 1992) (1992): American R&B singer, songwriter, and rapper known professionally as 6lack.
• Ahmed Rushdi — Historical peer (Died in 1983) (1983): A legendary Pakistani playback singer, known as the 'Magician of Voice'.
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• A. N. Sherwin-White — Historical peer (Died in 1993) (1993): British academic and ancient historian, specializing in Roman law and society.
• Adam Ondra — Historical peer (Born in 1993) (1993): Czech professional rock climber, specializing in lead, bouldering, and competition.
• Abbas Kiarostami — Historical peer (Died in 2016) (2016): Master Iranian filmmaker known for blending fiction and documentary styles.
• Agnes Nixon — Historical peer (Died in 2016) (2016): Pioneering soap opera writer and producer, creator of 'One Life to Live' and 'All My Children'.

Frequently Asked Questions about Salvadoran Civil War