The governments of El Salvador and the United States have agreed to reinstate the Peace Corps program in El Salvador, following a seven-year suspension due to high levels of gang violence. The Peace Corps is a renowned U.S. volunteer abroad program that began in the 1960s. It temporarily halted operations in El Salvador in 2016 due to escalating lawlessness in the country.
According to a statement released by the U.S. embassy in San Salvador, upcoming Peace Corps initiatives in El Salvador will concentrate on projects that promote community economic development, education, and youth. Speaking at an event, Peace Corps Director Carol Spahn acknowledged the crucial role played by Salvadorans in previous initiatives, highlighting the establishment of “deep and lasting friendships.”
In 2015, just before the Peace Corps departure from El Salvador, the country endured a record-breaking murder rate of 103 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, ranking it among the highest in the world at the time. This violence was largely attributed to the deadly feud between the Barrio 18 gang and its rival, Mara Salvatrucha, also known as MS-13.
In early 2022, President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador introduced emergency powers that empowered security forces to apprehend over 70,000 suspected gang members. This initiative has resulted in a significant decrease in violent crime. Last year, the homicide rate declined by nearly 60% compared to the previous year, contributing to a widespread perception of increased safety among the local population, supported by authorities and independent surveys.
However, President Bukele’s aggressive anti-gang measures have generated criticism from human rights organizations, which condemn the suspension of certain constitutional rights and raise concerns regarding arbitrary arrests. Additionally, they have highlighted 174 deaths occurring in state custody following the implementation of emergency powers.
The Peace Corps program was established by the administration of U.S. President John F. Kennedy approximately sixty years ago, deploying volunteers worldwide. El Salvador’s improved security conditions have prompted the revival of this influential initiative, aiming to reinforce collaboration between the United States and El Salvador in areas of community development, education, and youth empowerment.
(Report by Nelson Renteria; Editing by David Alire Garcia and Jacqueline Wong)
Credit: The Star : News Feed
