Historical and Future Perspectives of the Peace Accords in El Salvador

In this article, Carlos Castañeda Magaña outlines the scope of the Peace Accords signed on January 16, 1992, in Chapultepec, Mexico, and its impact on El Salvador’s future. Moreover, Castañeda Magaña discusses the contribution of the international community in achieving peace and establishing democracy. The author particularly highlights Mexico’s role as one of the international actors that had a hand in the refounding of the Salvadorian nation through its recognition of the parties to the conflict and its influence in getting groups of nations to participate in the process for peace in the Central American region. The author explains how the Peace Accords cleared the way for the establishment of democratic institutions such as the National Civil Police Force and the Office of the Procurator for the Defense of Human Rights, in addition to constitutional reforms and reforms of the Salvadorian justice system. The agreement also saw the quashing of the repressive military bodies whose abuse was felt by the civil population. He further discusses the crowning moment in the history of the Central American country: the alternation of power, when the Salvadorian Left formed the government for the first time, bringing forward a national agenda for economic growth, social justice, equality and democracy.