El Salvador: Notes on Fighting March 1 - April 2 Deborah Tyroler

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4-10-1991 El Salvador: Notes On Fighting March 1 - April 2 Deborah Tyroler

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Recommended Citation Tyroler, Deborah. "El Salvador: Notes On Fighting March 1 - April 2." (1991). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/noticen/5333

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Latin America Digital Beat (LADB) at UNM Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in NotiCen by an authorized administrator of UNM Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. LADB Article Id: 067106 ISSN: 1089-1560 El Salvador: Notes On Fighting March 1 - April 2 by Deborah Tyroler Category/Department: General Published: Wednesday, April 10, 1991

March 1: The armed forces press office (COPREFA) reported that fighting at the Cerron Grande hydroelectric plant, located between Chalatenango and Cuscatlan departments, left 17 soldiers and six rebels dead, and 16 soldiers and 20 rebels wounded. Rebel bombings caused power blackouts in San Salvador. The state-run electricity company, CEL, reported that damage to three transformers at the Cerron Grande plant was estimated at $90,000. The Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) reported that the rebels caused over 100 troop casualties in the same clash. March 2: A unilateral five-day ceasefire declared by the FMLN commenced. The truce was called to honor the memory of recently deceased political leader Guillermo Ungo. Several neighborhoods of San Salvador and towns located in the country's central region were without electricity. March 4: The FMLN reported that eight rebels were killed and seven wounded in a surprise attack by government troops in San Antonio Los Ranchos and San Jose Las Flores, Chalatenango department. March 5: COPREFA reported that one soldier was killed in a clash with rebels in Santa Clara, San Vicente department, and four rebels died in fighting with troops in Usulutan department. During a Radio Farabundo Marti broadcast, the FMLN reported that army troops had moved into rebel- controlled areas during the guerrillas' five-day truce period. According to the FMLN, the army is preparing a backdrop of repression and war for the March 10 elections. March 6: Residents of Morazan department told reporters that army mortar attacks on March 4 injured a child near the town of Jocoatique. Community leader Jorge Espinal told reporters that soldiers abducted a resident accused of being a "rebel collaborator," and burned at least 10 ha. of forest. COPREFA reported that six rebels and one soldier were killed, and three rebels wounded in a clash in San Jose las Flores, Chalatenango. Two rebels were killed and six rebels and one soldier wounded in fighting in San Francisco Javier, Usulutan department. Next, one rebel was killed and another wounded in a skirmish in Perquin, Morazan department. March 8: Rebels attacked the National Police Academy on the outskirts of San Salvador with mortar and rocket-propelled grenades shortly after midnight. Journalists observed damage to at least three buildings. COPREFA reported that two police officers were wounded in the incident. March 9: Defense Minister Gen. Rene Emilio Ponce told reporters that as of March 7, fighting had broken out in San Francisco Javier and San Agustin, Usulutan department; Guatiyajiagua, Sensembra and Sociedad, Morazan department; and, in San Antonio Los Ranchos and Las Vueltas, Chalatenango department. COPREFA reported seven rebels and one soldier killed in the fighting, the result of military incursions into rebel controlled areas. Ponce said that the army does not believe in rebel truces because the guerrillas "never do what they say" they will do. Witnesses told journalists that army troops on offensive operations shelled suspected rebel positions between Guarjila and San Jose Las Flores, Chalatenango department. Two civilians were injured. March 10: COPREFA reported clashes in Yamabal, Cacaopera, San Isidro, San Simon, Jocaitique, Corinto and Chilanga, Morazan; and, in San Luis de la Reina and Carolina, San Miguel. Defense Minister Gen. Emilio Ponce charged that the FMLN violated its unilateral ceasefire by launching offensive attacks in at least 10 towns in Chalatenango, Morazan and La Union departments on Saturday and Sunday. He said that in fighting in La Union, 17 rebels, one soldier and one civilian were killed. March 11: COPREFA reported that 13 rebels and two soldiers were killed and 10 rebels and 15 soldiers were wounded in fighting in San Jose Guayabal,

40 km. north of the capital. A clash in San Francisco Javier, Usulutan, left 10 rebels, one soldier and one civilian dead, and 11 rebels, one soldier and one civilian wounded. In Lislique, La Union department, seven rebels were killed and six more wounded in fighting with government troops. Next, three rebels were killed and one soldier wounded during fighting in Jucuaran, Usulutan department. In a Radio Farabundo Marti broadcast, the FMLN reported that in the first nine days of March, rebels caused 290 government troop casualties. The Frente asserted that its unilateral truce had allowed the freedom of movement required by Salvadorans to participate in the March 10 elections. The rebels reiterated that fighting would continue now that the ceasefire had ended. March 12: COPREFA reported that rebels used a surface-to- air missile to down a helicopter providing air support to ground troops in San Miguel department. The three crew members were killed. Two rebels were wounded in a clash with army troops in Morazan department. COPREFA also reported no casualties resulting from a rebel attack on the artillery brigade in La Libertad department. Fighting in Piedra Labrada, Cuscatlan department, caused the death of one soldier. Finally, two soldiers were killed during a clash in Chalatenango department. In a Radio Venceremos broadcast, the FMLN reported causing 10 army casualties in Morazan. The FMLN denied that the rebels suffered casualties during fighting with soldiers in Lislique, La Union department. Police spokespersons reported fighting in Santa Marta, located southeast of the capital. No casualties were mentioned. March 13: COPREFA reported that three soldiers were killed and eight more were wounded in fighting in Yamabal, Morazan department. FMLN spokespersons told reporters that fighting in San Miguel and Chalatenango departments caused 42 army troop casualties. March 14: COPREFA reported that FMLN rebels fired five mortars at an army garrison in San Miguel, wounding three soldiers. In Yamabal, Morazan department, fighting left 10 rebels and three soldiers dead and 15 rebels and three soldiers wounded. Seven combatants were wounded in another clash in the area. Three rebels and one soldier were wounded in fighting in Las Vueltas, Chalatenango department. Three rebels were wounded during clashes in Anamoros, La Union department. Next, rebel units attacked soldiers guarding the central power station in Santa Ana department. March 15: COPREFA reported that 36 rebels and eight soldiers were killed in fighting in Usulutan, Cuscatlan and Chalatenango departments. Rebels burned six government vehicles outside the capital. During the week, rebels sabotaged 30 components of the nation's electricity grid, causing power blackouts and rationing in several areas of the country. March 16: COPREFA reported that 25 rebels and five soldiers were killed and 10 soldiers wounded during a clash in San Agustin, Usulutan. During a Radio Venceremos broadcast, the FMLN claimed the army suffered 15 casualties in the same fighting. Five rebels and three soldiers were killed in Dulce Nombre de Maria, Chalatenango department. Three rebels died and two soldiers were wounded during clashes in San Jose Guayabal, Cuscaltan. Next, two soldiers were wounded in Morazan department. FMLN commandos attacked a military vehicle in San Salvador, wounding two police officers. March 17: In a Radio Venceremos broadcast, the FMLN reported 456 government troop casualties in the first 16 days of March. In the same period, two rebels were killed and two wounded. The FMLN said that rebels seized two canons, 34 rifles, two M-60 machineguns, two grenade launchers and 5,000 cartridges. The rebels claimed downing one helicopter, and damage to two others. Regarding sabotage of the electricity infrastructure, the FMLN reported damage to 99 structures. March 18: COPREFA reported that two rebels and two soldiers were killed in skirmishes in La Laguna, Chalatenango department. Next, one soldier was reported killed and five others wounded in fighting near San Jose Guayabal. Two soldiers were killed and eight others wounded in fighting with rebels in Tecoluca, San Vicente department. Rebels set fire to six government vehicles on the outskirts of San Salvador. March 20: Military sources reported that nine rebels and three soldiers were killed, and two rebels and four

©2011 The University of New Mexico, Latin American & Iberian Institute. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 4 LADB Article Id: 067106 ISSN: 1089-1560 soldiers wounded in heavy fighting in Tecoluca. Government sources reported that rebel units attacked the 15th of September hydroelectric plant, located in San Vicente department. There were no details on damages or casualties. March 23: COPREFA reported that 12 rebels were killed and five soldiers wounded in fighting in Santa Elena, Usulutan department. The FMLN reported that rebels caused 19 government troop casualties in Santa Elena. COPREFA reported that four soldiers were killed and seven more wounded during fighting in El Canton La Cruz, Cuscatlan department. According to the FMLN, six soldiers were killed or wounded in the same clash. According to a Radio Venceremos broadcast, rebels caused 166 government troop casualties between March 17 and 23. The majority of the casualties were recorded in Chalatenango, San Vicente and La Paz departments. In the same period, the FMLN suffered six casualties. Military sources reported that rebels attacked military posts in Chalatenango department with 81mm mortars. There were no casualties. March 24: COPREFA reported that four soldiers were killed and seven wounded in a series of clashes around San Jose Guayabal. According to a Radio Venceremos broadcast, five soldiers and one rebel were killed and 17 soldiers wounded in the same fighting. March 26: In a Radio Farabundo Marti broadcast, the FMLN said it would accept a request for an Easter week ceasefire by San Salvador Archbishop Arturo Riveras y Damas, as long as soldiers do not enter rebel-controlled territory. COPREFA reported that Capt. Humberto Aristides Ochoa and four soldiers from the first military detachment were killed in fighting with rebels in El Canton Las Canas, Chalatenango department. Two rebels were killed and six more were wounded. Radio Farabundo Marti reported that rebels killed 11 soldiers and wounded 50 others during fighting in and around the city of Chalatenango. The FMLN said that guerrillas damaged a military A-37 plane with rifle fire near Guazapa volcano, north of San Salvador. March 27: Radio Farabundo Marti reported that rebels caused the "Sierpes" army battalion 60 casualties during fighting in the villages of El Chiapas and El Caserio Teheyac, near the city of Chalatenango. A captain and four soldiers were confirmed killed. March 28: The FMLN reiterated that it would respond to any attempt by government troops to enter rebel territory during the Easter week ceasefire. COPREFA reported that rebel urban commandos launched explosives at an electricity substation located in central San Salvador. No casualties were reported. Government troops dismantled two FMLN camps in northern El Salvador, and confiscated weapons, mines, and other materiel. No details on rebel casualties or prisoners were provided. March 29: COPREFA reported that two soldiers and one rebel were killed in combat near Dulce Nombre de Jesus, Chalatenango. Salvadoran rebels attacked the El Roblar military base in San Jose Guayabal, wounding eight government troops. One police officer was wounded in the town of Villa Victoria during an early morning attack by rebels. April 2: In Honduras, Radio America reported that Salvadoran rebels attacked the El Poy customs post (located in Chalatenango department) with grenades and automatic weapons. Part of the building was destroyed. The Honduran news media reported that about 150 rebels attacked the customs facility, and rebels occupied the building after 12 hours of fighting. An undetermined number of Salvadoran soldiers sought refuge in Honduras. COPREFA reported that the rebels attacked the border post before dawn. One soldier was killed, and three soldiers and three rebels were wounded. Elite army units were sent to the area later in the day. Rebel sources reported that 10 soldiers were killed or wounded. According to the FMLN, guerrillas took 10 soldiers and police agents prisoner. Rebel spokespersons said the attack on the border post was in response to a military offensive launched March 28 into rebel-controlled territory in Chalatenango. Of the 1,300 soldiers participating in the offensive, rebels killed or wounded 32. In a communique, government spokespersons denied foreign press reports that the Salvadoran military arsenal includes chemical weapons. [Basic data from, EFE, 03/12/91, 03/13/91; Notimex, 03/12/91; Salpress News, 03/06/91; AFP, 03/01/91, 03/02/91, 03/07/91, 03/09/91, 03/11/91, 03/12/91,

03/14/91, 03/16-18/91, 03/20/91, 03/24-26/91, 03/28/91, 03/29/91, 04/02/91; AP, 03/01/91, 03/02/91, 03/12/91, 03/25/91; ACAN-EFE, 03/11/91, 03/12/91, 03/14/91, 03/16/91, 03/17/91, 03/25/91, 03/26/91; Prensa Latina (Cuba), 03/02/91, 03/04/91, 03/27/91, 03/28/91]

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