The Flâneur Collective

El Salvador is currently on trial by fire to see if it can succeed in the long run.

Many supporters have praised the country for being innovative in its technological revolution and wanting newfound freedom from the violence that has dominated its people. Still, opponents argue against the apparent human rights violations that occur, such as mass incarcerations.  

 Recently, three minors were sent to prison for making a video and posting it online where they appeared to be making gang-related signs. The court found that the children had no connection to the gangs themselves, so this brings up the question of how much freedom of expression is allowed in the country. Yet, it is also perfectly understandable.  

The law dictates that the sentence for being a gang member is 20-40 years, which does not include any of the other possible crimes committed by the gang members. Children of the ages of those arrested would obviously have more lenient sentencing because they are very young. The country wants to prevent any potential danger to the children who these dangerous criminals have influenced.  

I can relate to this preoccupation as my parents, both of Salvadoran origin, speak of their experiences during the Civil War. They describe how they would hide when the buses filled with soldiers would pass by as they would kidnap children to train them as soldiers. They had friends who were taken away from their parents only to be found after the war as murderers and extremely traumatized by their experiences. For a country that wishes to modernize from its terrible past, influences from that past must be strongly controlled.   

With the war against gangs and syndicates, nearly 90,000 people have been arrested. Because of the large and undeniable influence that such large gangs have had, the incarcerations put a massive strain not just on the justice system but the families of those jailed.  The money made from criminal proceedings, unfortunately, sustained many families and allowed children to get their education. Luckily, the removal of violent forces has actually led to an increase in the nation’s GDP even though it was estimated by international groups such as the EIU that the war would end up tanking the GDP by a significant amount.  

Yes, the crimes committed are unforgivable, but there is quite a moral dilemma. Is it right to take that many fathers from their sons? Their families would argue no because they need to stick together and survive, but a large majority of the population would say yes as friends and other family members have been victims of the violence.  

There have been recent cases where the family members of those incarcerated proceed to take over the roles of their criminal family members through actions as smugglers or messengers. These actions only work to alienate families in these circumstances further, as communities distrust those whose family members were involved in criminal proceedings.  

On the other hand, a substantial group of citizens are just enjoying the good times while they last. Slightly cynical, these people have gotten so used to the way that things have been that they do not truly believe that anything can lead to a lasting revolution in the culture or economy of the country. With President Trump coming into office in the United States and his apparent support of El Salvador, times are only going to continue changing. There are talks about stopping immigration and potentially making El Salvador a safe country for deportees, which would lead to myriads of public opinions and protests.  

The citizens of El Salvador must take matters into their own hands and support those leaders and changes that would most benefit the society as a whole. “Matanzas” might not be happening anymore, but the Salvadoran people must believe in positive change and work to improve their situations before their culture starts dying. Trauma must be healed, the past must be fixed, and citizens around the world can help by supporting the Salvadoran people themselves.