By Alexis Stoumbelis
February was a scary month for El Salvador, as President Nayib Bukele, who took office in June, openly declared war on the Legislative Assembly, the country’s most representative, democratic body.
From inciting his supporters to exercise their right to popular insurrection to sending the Armed Forces to occupy the legislative chamber – which has never before happened in El Salvador – Bukele’s actions confirm fears about his authoritarian tendencies.
Media outlets turned to CISPES for analysis and reports from the grassroots movements in El Salvador. Check out CISPES organizer Yesenia Portillo on The Real News (in English) and Development Director Sherley Cordova on Univision (in Spanish)
But talking to media was not all we needed to do. We pushed Members of Congress to speak out (here’s their letter published in El Salvador’s largest daily newspaper) and our chapter in Los Angeles played a leading role in educating and mobilizing the Salvadoran community and allies against Bukele’s «flirtation with fascism,» as journalist Hilary Goodfriend aptly put it.
Though the situation has temporarily calmed down, popular movement leaders have told us that this is just the beginning of Bukele’s escalating aggression towards anyone who dares to disagree with him (sound familiar?), a situation that requires our vigilance and solidarity.
So this month we’re feeling grateful to be part of a network of people like you who care about what’s happening in El Salvador – and who are ready to take action.
We’re also feeling inspired by the memory of beloved Jesuit priest Rutilio Grande, assassinated by death squads in 1977, whom Pope Francis officially a martyr in February. Padre Grande was a powerful voice for liberation theology and a major influence on Óscar Romero.
As Father José María Tojeira, Director of the Human Rights Institute at the University of Central America (UCA) remarked, «He always wanted the people to have the basics, so they could live with dignity, develop their capacities, and have opportunities in life. This was Rutilio Grande and this was his effort, stemming from a profound faith … and love for El Salvador.
Speaking of historical memory, CISPES is preparing to celebrate our 40th anniversary this year! It’s true: we’ve been organizing for social and economic justice and for an end to U.S. intervention for 40 years – and we’re still going strong.
We’re looking forward to lots of opportunities to reflect on and learn from our history, as well as to celebrate our creative visions for the solidarity movement moving forward. We hope you’ll join us!
Many thanks for being part of this movement!
