El Salvador: From Fruits To Gang Violence - What You Need To Know
Can a nation's identity be shaped by its fruits and the shadows of its past? El Salvador, a country brimming with vibrant biodiversity and grappling with a violent history, offers a complex answer.
In the sun-drenched landscapes of El Salvador, a cornucopia of tropical fruits awaits, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the nation's agricultural bounty. Among the popular offerings are the sweet and juicy mangos, refreshing watermelons, the iconic coconuts, and the unique tang of tamarinds, to name but a few. However, for visitors arriving from distant shores, many of these delightful treats might be entirely new experiences, a testament to the rich, yet sometimes hidden, treasures of this Central American gem.
Beyond the familiar, El Salvador cultivates a range of organic agricultural products destined for export, including the lesser-known but increasingly significant cashew fruit, or "maran." The cultivation of organic produce reflects a growing commitment to sustainable practices and a desire to showcase the country's natural resources on a global scale.
El Salvador, with its lush landscapes, is witnessing a surge in the production of organic agricultural products destined for export, including the unique and flavorful "maran" cashew fruit. A considerable number of farms, approximately 384, are dedicated to the primary production of organic goods. In 2008, these farms covered a substantial 8,304 manzanas of land, including 2,115 manzanas devoted to the cultivation of maran.
In the municipality of Tecoluca, the cashew seed, or anacardo, reigns supreme among nuts, particularly in the realm of tourism. The dreams of this area are centered around its exquisite cashew seeds. This region, where life revolves around this key product, is also known as "city of owls" in the Nahuat language.
The "fresco de maran," or cashew fruit drink, is a beloved traditional beverage, widely enjoyed for its ease of preparation. Cashew fruit is harvested primarily during the summer months and offers a wealth of vitamins and proteins.
Mamonas, or Spanish limes, are tangy, tropical fruits found throughout El Salvador, offering another taste of the country's diverse agricultural output.
The complex interplay of violence, a persistent shadow over El Salvador, manifests in multiple forms, shaping the social and political landscape. This violence unfolds in four primary directions, creating a cycle of fear and instability.
- The first is the ongoing and brutal warfare between rival gangs, vying for territory and dominance.
- Second, is the gang violence inflicted upon local communities, terrorizing residents and disrupting daily life.
- Third, is the violence enacted by the state against the gangs, including law enforcement actions and policies.
- Finally, the gangs' violent responses to the state's actions, further escalating the conflict.
This widespread violence constitutes a major threat to the democratic process that El Salvador attempted to build after years of civil unrest and political instability. The legacy of conflict continues to reverberate, hindering progress and casting a long shadow over the nation's future.
The gangs Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio 18, declared terrorist organizations by the Supreme Court of El Salvador in 2015, have been terrorizing Salvadorans for two decades, despite the tough-on-crime policies implemented by successive governments.
Today, a new wave of concern has arisen with allegations that a group of Central American youths are attempting to reinstate the Mara Salvatrucha.
Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, is one of the most notorious and feared street gangs in the Americas. Its origins can be traced back to the 1980s in Los Angeles, United States. The gang was initially formed by immigrants who fled El Salvador's long and brutal civil war. Other members came from Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico.
The gang, which originated in the barrios of Los Angeles in the 1980s, was formed by immigrants fleeing El Salvador's long and brutal civil war. Other members came from Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico, expanding the gang's reach and influence.
In a historic trial in El Salvador, approximately 17 leaders of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and over 400 gang members implicated in transnational criminal activities have begun to face justice.
The rise of women in El Salvador's prison system is also a significant development. Many are involved in gang-related activities, reflecting evolving dynamics of criminal organizations. While the government of Nayib Bukele has taken strong action to stop gang members in the country.
The creation of the maximum-security mega-prison, the CECOT, is a case in point. The facility has the capacity to hold up to 40,000 inmates, a stark illustration of the government's commitment to combating crime through incarceration.
In a San Salvador, before El Salvador introduced an exception regime against gangs, the Central American country already had approximately 16,000 gang members in prison, including several founding leaders of the Mara Salvatrucha, known as members of the national ranfla.
The rise of Nayib Bukele in 2019 was fueled by discontent with traditional political parties and the pervasive power of gangs in El Salvador. Bukele's early presidency saw a drop in homicides, a positive development welcomed by many citizens.
In a historic trial in El Salvador, approximately 17 leaders of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and over 400 gang members implicated in transnational criminal activities have begun to face justice.
The violence related to the phenomenon of Salvadoran "maras" (gangs) flows in four directions:
- War between rival "maras"
- Gang violence against communities
- State violence against "maras"
- Violent responses of "maras" against the state
Today, this phenomenon represents a major threat to the democratic process that El Salvador tried to build after
These gangs originated in the United States, founded by Central American immigrants, but spread to Central America, including El Salvador, starting in the 1980s. Their activities have helped make the Northern Triangle Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras one of the most violent places in the world outside a war zone. The US Department of the Treasury categorizes the group as a "transnational criminal organization," the first such designation for a US street gang, though the MS13's criminal.
The rise of Nayib Bukele in 2019 was fueled by discontent with traditional political parties and the pervasive power of gangs in El Salvador. Bukele's early presidency saw a drop in homicides, a positive development welcomed by many citizens.
The gang began in the barrios of Los Angeles in the 1980s, formed by immigrants who had fled El Salvador's long and brutal civil war. Other members came from Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico. Their activities have helped make the northern triangle - Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras - one of the most violent places in the world outside of a war zone. The gang, MS-13, is one of the most feared street gangs in the Americas, with its activities categorised as a "transnational criminal organization" by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
The gang began in the barrios of Los Angeles in the 1980s, formed by immigrants who had fled El Salvador's long and brutal civil war. Other members came from Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico.
In 2015, the Supreme Court of El Salvador declared the gangs Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio 18 as terrorist organizations. The gangs have been generating fear among Salvadorans for 20 years, despite the hard-line policies implemented by successive governments.
El Salvador's story is a tapestry woven with threads of both hardship and hope. It is a nation where the sweetness of fruit offers a counterpoint to the bitter realities of violence and political upheaval. While the struggle for peace and prosperity continues, the resilience of the Salvadoran people, and the enduring beauty of their land, offer a promise of brighter days.
