SIT Symposium Brattleboro, Vermont August, 2010

Peace and Reconciliation: Transnational Perspectives Central American Peace Accords Reconciliation in Nicaragua and El Salvador

Origins of the Conflicts Nicaragua US Occupation A.C. Sandino El Salvador 1932 Campesino Massacre Farabundo Martí

Origins of the Conflicts Nicaragua Somoza Family Military Dictatorship El Salvador Successive Military Dictatorship

Nicaragua: Insurrection to overthrow Somoza Dictatorship led by Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional (estimate d 50,000 dead) July 19, 1979 “Triumph” of the Sandinista Popular Revolution

El Salvador: Civil War breaks out Formation of Death Squads Assassination of Mons. Oscar Romero Assassination of Religious Women Massacre at El Mozonte ARENA founded by Roberto D’Aubuisson

Cold War Context Domino Theory: …Si Nicaragua venció…El Salvador vencerá!

Cold War Context

Civil Wars Nicaragua: “Contra” - “Low Intensity Conflict” 22,000 total vs. Ejercito Popular Sandinista 1984: Elections – FSLN/Daniel Ortega World Court Decision in Favor of Nicaragua “Iran-Contragate” 1990: Elections - UNO/Violeta Barrios de Chamorro El Salvador: FMLN – 12,000 vs. Salvadoran Military - “Scorched Earth Military Strategy” 1984: Elections – PDC/Napoleon Duarte 1989: Elections - ARENA/Alfredo Cristiani FMLN Final Offensive Assassinations of Jesuits at the UCA

Peace Process in Central America 1983 – Contadora: Colombia, México, Panamá y Venezuela Esquipulas I Esquipulas II "Arias Peace Plan” - Procedure to Establish a Firm and Lasting Peace in Central America

Esquipulas II Accords Oscar Arias, Costa Rica - Napoleon Duarte, El Salvador – Jose Azcona, Honduras - Vinicio Cerezo, Guatemala - Daniel Ortega, Nicaragua August 7, 1987 Amnesty Cease fire Democratization End to support for irregulars End use of territories to support irregulars Continue peace talks

Peace Accords Nicaragua: Sapoá Accord (FSLN Government-Contra) Amnesty Demobilization: 22,000 contra Nicaraguan Army from 100, ,000 (maintain Army structure/command) Nicaraguan Police (50/50) Moved up Elections with International Observation El Salvador: Chapultepec Accord (FMLN-El Salvador Government) Amnesty Demobilization: 70% reduction of Armed Forces Dissolution of the battalions of immediate reaction Dissolution of the National Guard Dissolution of Treasury Police Transfer of the State intelligence agencies Demobilization of 10,000 FMLN Guerillas National Civil Police (50/50)

Post - Cold War Context

Similarities: Amnesty UN Peacekeepers OAS Verification Commissions Role of Churches Role of Women in Reconciliation Formation of Political Parties (PRN - FMLN) FSLN Government in Nicaragua ? FMLN Government in El Salvador

Differences: Role of USA Property Issues/Human Rights Issues Truth Commissions Negotiated Re-integration Nicaragua “Re-contra”, “Re-compa”, “Revueltos” rearmed groups El Salvador: Mares Salvatrucha

Legacy of Wars or Flawed Peace? Culture of Violence (from institutional violence to domestic violence) Political Polarization (in spite of FSLN political alliance with Contra) Narco-trafficking Poverty – socioeconomic inequities Immigration 2009 coup d'état in Honduras

Women say: End of war well negotiated Construction of peace not well negotiated War devastated families and communities There was more investment in war, less investment in peace Absence of men created space for women’s leadership Priorities are peace and social transformation Reconciliation needs to emerge at personal and community levels Reconciliation requires practice and creativity

Sources of Wisdom/Reconciliation:

John Paul Lederach says: If we are to survive as a global community, we must understand the imperative nature of giving birth and space to the moral imagination in human affairs. We must move from isolation and attitudes of “dominate or be dominated” toward embracing life in a web of interdependent relationships. Reach out to those you fear. Touch the heart of complexity. Imagine beyond what is seen. Risk vulnerability one step at a time.

Peace Park in Managua

Memorial Wall in San Salvador

“Peace is a process which never ends; it is the result of innumerable decisions made by many persons in many lands. It is an attitude, a way of life, a way of solving problems and of resolving conflicts. It cannot be forced on the smallest nation, nor can it be imposed by the largest. It can neither ignore our differences nor overlook our common interests. It requires us to work and live together.” Oscar Arias

Gracias