El Salvador’s recent presidential elections that nominated Maricio Funes and the FMLN to govern the country is just the most recent example of change sweeping across Central and South America. As more countries elect left wing governments, those of us suffering under right wing/neo-liberal governments are buoyed by their successes.
Former FMLN combatant Damian Alegria told me of a time in the late ‘80s after almost ten years of armed combat; the party was suffering huge losses and feeling quite battered. Operation Hope was created to raise the troupe’s moral. Combatants throughout the country were told to explode a grenade in an unpopulated area at 8pm on a specific night. On the designated night, FMLN members heard the simultaneous explosions coming from the hills all around them. They quickly realized they were not isolated in the struggle. Indeed there were combatants all over the country, all united in the fight for a free democratic land.
Just as the Operation Hope grenades spurred on the combatants, each victory of the Left shows us the breadth of the movement. It is easy to become discouraged here in Canada when the political parties are blurring into one and the Left is fragmented and prone to infighting. The people of El Salvador’s success in dislodging ARENA’s 20 year reign is the latest victory to be sound in the dark world of neo-liberalism.
Former FMLN combatant Damian Alegria told me of a time in the late ‘80s after almost ten years of armed combat; the party was suffering huge losses and feeling quite battered. Operation Hope was created to raise the troupe’s moral. Combatants throughout the country were told to explode a grenade in an unpopulated area at 8pm on a specific night. On the designated night, FMLN members heard the simultaneous explosions coming from the hills all around them. They quickly realized they were not isolated in the struggle. Indeed there were combatants all over the country, all united in the fight for a free democratic land.
Just as the Operation Hope grenades spurred on the combatants, each victory of the Left shows us the breadth of the movement. It is easy to become discouraged here in Canada when the political parties are blurring into one and the Left is fragmented and prone to infighting. The people of El Salvador’s success in dislodging ARENA’s 20 year reign is the latest victory to be sound in the dark world of neo-liberalism.
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