Perquin and El Mozote

Perquin

Located in northeastern Salvador, Perquin had a major role during the civil war that ravaged El Salvador for 12 years, from 1980 to 1992. The war raged between the authoritarian government (supported by the United States) and the guerilla mainly formed of peasants hoping for a better life in this oppressive political regime.

The headquarters of this guerilla was located in the small town of Perquin. The town has been bombed several times just like many other villages in the area. Several battles were fought in the region, and nowadays a Museum of the Revolution honour the memory of several combatants and try to document some events of this war.

There are lots of details on some precise events of the civil war, but unfortunately, there is no global picture on the country's history explaining what caused the conflict to begin with. Since most visitors are Salvadorans, I think it is assumed that people know the history of their own country. Sadly, for foreigners, there is a lack of information.

What can be seen in the museum at least succeed to teach us about the horrors of war, and to educate the younger generation so that such a conflict never happens again.

Museum of the Revolution

Artisanal anti-personnel mine.

Guerilla Camp

Tunnel Entrance.

A reconstructed guerilla camp shows the precarious conditions in which the guerilla members were living.

Bombshells recovered around Perquin.

Machine-gun and a plane turbine.

A makeshift hospital.

Shelter used during bombardment.

An example of a bridge that was installed over rivers.

Another way to cross a river or a chasm.

El Mozote

The El Mozote village has seen one of the worst massacres of the civil war. On December 11, 1981, the army massacred 757 people. Of the 143 victims uncovered, 131 were children.

Nowadays, there is a memorial with the names of those that were killed. There is also a monument dedicated to the victims of the conflict.