El Salvador Weekly News and Analysis
Nov. 6-Nov. 12, 2006
In this edition:
1) Two Lutheran Pastors Assassinated after Service
2) Civilian Victims of Salvadoran Civil War Honored on November 2
3) Anti-GMO Network Organizes Organic Farmers Market
Beloved Lutheran Pastors Assassinated after Service
The Lutheran Church of El Salvador is mourning the assassination of two pastors, husband and wife. Francisco and Jesús Carrillo were leaving the Mount Pensbert church in the 2 de Mayo community of the municipality of Jayaque, La Libertad around 5:00 pm when they were attacked and shot by 3 young assailants. Jesús died at the scene of the murder, while Fransisco died en route to the hospital.
While the motive behind the double murder is unclear, it is noted that both Francisco and Jesus were active in defending human rights in the community. Both were also members of the Jayaque chapter of the “Comandos de Salvamiento,” a volunteer-based first responder and ambulance organization. A multitude of community members, members of the Comandos de Salvamiento, friends and family attended the funeral service and burial.
The Lutheran Synod calls on international churches and institutions to pressure the Salvadoran authorities to find ways to overcome the violence plaguing the country and the Lutheran World Federation expects the Salvadoran authorities "to conduct a swift and thorough investigation of this crime, and to bring those responsible to justice."
CRISPAZ extends its condolences to the Lutheran Church and to friends and family of the Carrillos.
(photo credit: Diario Co-Latino)
Civilian Victims of Salvadoran Civil War Honored on November 2
As is tradition here, Salvadorans observed All Saints Day on November 2. Families visited the gravesites of deceased relatives, cleaned them and decorated them with flowers. For families of people disappeared during the war, this day has long been a reminder that they have nowhere to visit their dead.
A commemorative event was held at the Monument to Truth and Memory in the Cuscatlan Park, to remember these victims. The monument is similar to the Viet Nam memorial in Washington, DC--a wall with over 20,000 names of civilians who were disappeared or murdered during El Salvador’s civil war. The event is especially important to family members of the disappeared. This year the morning began with the planting of flowers in a garden near the monument and was followed by Mass. Red roses were handed out to mourners, who laid them at the foot of the wall where their loved ones names are etched. Candles formed a cross that ran the length of the monument.
The event is sponsored by the Pro-Monument Committee comprised of the different organizations that raised the funds to build the monument and collected the names: Co-Madres, Tutela Legal, Mujeres para la Dignidad y la Vida, COMAFAC, CODEFAN, FESPAD, Museo de la Palabra y la Imagen.
Anti-GMO Network Organizes Organic Farmers Market

The Citizens Network Against GMO’s held a small-scale organic producers market to demonstrate the economic viability of locally grown organic produce in El Salvador. The market, held last Saturday Nov. 2, extended through the San José Park in the Centro America neighborhood of San Salvador. Over 157 producers from 16 municipalities were represented in the market. About 90% of the products offered sold out, indicating a big success (and some happy farmers).
“We organized this event in conjunction with the San Salvador mayor’s office to demonstrate that our farmers can grow beautiful and affordable produce that’s GMO free,” said Javier Rivera, CRISPAZ staffer and event co-organizer. Rivera added that the market’s initial success will attract more producers in the future. He says there are hopes that the market becomes a weekly event. He also says plans are underway to arrange for consumers to visit the farms of the participating producers to learn more about organic food production.
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