El Salvadoran Army Kills Jesuit Priests
November 16th, 1989
November 16th, 1989
How Long Ago?
35 years, 3 months, 27 days ago
Location
San Salvador, El Salvador
Category
Politics & Government
War/Conflict
Salvadoran Civil War
People
- Ignacio Ellacuría
- Elba Julia Ramos
- Celina Ramos
Links & References
Tags
El Salvadoran Army Kills Jesuit Priests
El Salvadoran army soldiers entered the campus of José Simeón Cañas Central American University and killed six Jesuit priests along with their housekeeper and her daughter. The killings took place during El Salvador's civil war, as the priests had been vocal critics of the government and the military's tactics against the poor. Their assassination sparked international outrage and brought attention to the ongoing human rights violations in the country.
Six Jesuit priests were executed by soldiers.
The priests were prominent critics of the government.
The killings drew international condemnation.
This event influenced peace negotiations in El Salvador.
What Happened?
On November 16, 1989, an elite commando unit of the El Salvadoran army executed six Jesuit priests, including Ignacio Ellacuría, at the José Simeón Cañas Central American University in San Salvador. These priests had been advocates for social justice and had condemned the human rights abuses rampant during the Salvadoran civil war, which lasted from 1980 to 1992. The operation not only involved the priests but also resulted in the murder of Elba Julia Ramos, the housekeeper, and her daughter, Celina, who were present at the time. The operation's brutal nature was intended to silence dissent and intimidate those confronting the government.
Why Does it Matter?
The assassinations of the Jesuit priests marked a critical turning point in the Salvadoran civil war. The global outcry following these killings, including condemnation from religious leaders and human rights organizations, brought greater international scrutiny to El Salvador’s government. This event highlighted the extent of violence and impunity within the military and government operations, contributing to the eventual peace negotiations that sought to end the civil conflict.
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