The Salvadorian Connection

El Salvador is a rather complex corner of the Americas. Located in Central America, it lies on the Pacific Ocean, not far from the Caribbean coasts of neighboring Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, leaving it in the path of hurricanes from both sides. It also lies on the Middle American Trench, part of the larger Ring of Fire, that separates the North American, Caribbean, and Cocos plates. As a result, El Salvador is prone to frequent and intense earthquakes. Each major city in the country has its own volcano of the same name (some cities have two or more). Obviously, these pose great risk to the Salvadorans, but they also have provided the country with fertile soil. Historically, agriculture has been the primary economy. However, in recent decades, they have transitioned into a manufacturing economy, especially for clothes. Much of these are maquilas, with Salvadoran workers being paid very little, and most of the profit and socioeconomic development going to service-based developed nations, notably the United States.

Many have sought to escape this in search of opportunity, and the United States is both the wealthiest country in the world and relatively close. Once they arrive on U.S. American shores, they are usually better off than in El Salvador, but face a new problem-United States racism and discrimination. Hispanic-Latinos certainly have lower wages than the average U.S. American, and many only have access to physical or menial labor. Salvadoran immigrants are among the most disadvantaged of all those from Hispanic-Latino-America. This, on top of the poor social treatment of Salvadoran-Americans makes membership of gangs enticing. MS-13 was started by Salvadoran immigrants not in El Salvador, but Los Angeles, and later spread across and outside of the United States. Many have returned to El Salvador to take control from the Salvadoran government, Western corporations, and one another.

The ultimate victims of the neo-liberalism, racism, discrimination, and gang violence are the Salvadorans themselves. Those that have stayed in El Salvador have gained the reputation of fighters, resilient and determined to make tomorrow better. Those in the United States or around the world have developed vibrant communities, with emphasis on education and improving their socioeconomic status while retaining their identity.