The people from San Francisco Echeverria, Tejutepeque, Cabañas, like the rest of the Salvadoran population, were victims of persecution and exile as a consequence of El Salvador's civil war during from the 70s to the 90s. In this context the military governmental forces, divided in different battalions, began military actions in the area intended to control the insurgent forces led by the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN).
The operation that impacted to a large extent the citizens’ life in San Francisco Echeverria was perpetuated by Atlaclatl Battalion. The operation that caused the death of many civilian people (around 64 people including children, youth and old men and women) was called “Operación Tierra Arrasada,” or Operation Razed Earth. It took place during 18th to 22nd of July in 1984. The people were captured and killed in San Francisco Echeverria surroundings. Some of them were moved to the school restrooms of San Francisco where soldiers asked them to get in rows. Then they were shot, gasoline was poured on their bodies, which were then mutilated and burned. Finally, the civilians' bodies were put inside the school´s restrooms.
That event was crucial to determine and mark the path of our history and cultural identity. It was a difficult period for the population in San Francisco as well as for its neighbors. Throughout this period people had to be attentive to any military operation in the area to protect their lives. Those military operations meant the risk of losing their lives, the destruction of their harvests, and a reason to move from one place to another to live more safely.
Local organizing for reforms was inspired by religion based on “liberation theology” with the hope of changing the scenario of exploitation and marginalization of its citizens that existed in the whole country at that time. Poverty and the lack of available land to produce crops were some of the main motivations for the organizing process in Christian based grass root communities in San Francisco Echeverria. San Francisco was the property of four landowners only. It was well-known as Los Arevalos, Alberto and Anibal Martinez land.
Currently, our history is vital for all the community citizens and new generations. That´s why there is a Memorial Day celebrated every year to keep alive the memory and ideals of the people assassinated on July 1984 by the military governmental forces. The Memorial Day is celebrated in July, on the closest weekend to the day of the murder.
Our martyrs' and heroes' legacy is the inspiration for struggling to maintain a place that guarantees a dignifying life for the people.
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The essay was written based on facts described in the spanish book “Una historia no contada”. The book contains a collection of testimonies of people who survived the military operation mentioned previously.
Operación Tierra Arrasada: the military operation led by the governmental forces that destroyed everything including peoples' lives.
