Why did the United States help train soldiers in El Salvador in the 1980s?

1 Answer
Oct 20, 2016

Ostensibly to defend democracy against communism.

Explanation:

US involvement in Central America reflect both long term factors going back to the 19th century and the Monroe Doctrine and modern factors reflecting the Cold War and the rise of left wing movements challenging the status quo. It also reflected the policies of the Reagan administration.

In El Salvador throughout the 70's and 80's the US government supported a brutal right wing government and right wing death squads responsible for tens of thousands of murders, including Archbishop Oscar Romero in his church. This included training and arming the El Salvadorean army.

The arguments given were to support democracy against communist backed guerrillas, whilst critics argued it was a policy protecting American hegemony and economic interests in this part of the world.