Information from the National Indigenous Association of El Salvador (ANIS)
At midnight, on the 8th of December, 1996, in the Indigenous communities of
Sabana San Juan Abajo and Sabana San Juan Arriba of the Nahuizalco province
in the state of Sonsonate, sections of the Salvadoran military along with
the National Police surrounded 45 different homes and took away 21
individuals ranging from 16 to 65 years old. Gilberto Lue Tuken, age 17,
was killed at 4:20 AM.
The police and military entered into the houses brutally and forcefully,
immediately taking all of the inhabitants out to the main street,
threatening and abusing them as they went. ANIS also reports that the
military and police carried bombs and arms with them that they later
claimed were found in the houses they entered. The Indigenous brothers and
sisters were told that if they did not turn over the military equipment
they would be killed (even though this equipment had been planted there by
them). They were also told that if they tried to denouce this attack, there
would be another massacre - of the entire community.
The physical and verbal attacks included hair grabbing and pulling, hitting
against the rocks and fists all over their bodies including in the ribs and
head, and even jumping on them and kicking them.
Many of our Indigenous sisters and brothers also had their mouthes forced
open with the butt of a gun and a chemical (poison) was forced into it and
onto many of their faces in order to blind and choke them. Then, at 4:20
AM, Gilberto Lue Tuken, age 17, was murdered amid shouts and cries.
Unforntunately this type of violation of human rights in the western part
of El Salvador is nothing new. Besides the great massacre of 1983 when 74
Indigenous were killed, there has been a resurgence of killings,
torturings, and threats in the past year. On November 3, 1996, a death
squad massacred in cold blood an entire family of 8 Nahuat Indians,
including four children (aged 2-13) and three women in the department of
Sonsonate. These victims were hacked to death with machetes.
Murdered on December 8, 1996:
Gilberto Lue Tuken age 17
Forcefully Abducted on December 8, 1996:
Caferino Perez Gutierrez age 65
Miguel Angel Perez Martinez age 22
Victor Manuel Perez Martinez age 26
Irreal Vasquez Martinez age 25
Pedro Lus age 81
Santo Lus age 18
Arcides Perez age 22
Romberto Perez age 16
Gilberto Shal Lus age 17
Juan Cetino Garcia age 21
Alvaro Antonio Guzman age 20
Nicolas Luz Lopez age 24
Jose Luz Tulen age 24
Douglas Alejandro Maros age 24
Jorge Alberto Maros age 27
Alvaro Antonio Guzman age 22
Francisco Esquino Hernandez age 27
Nafthali Esquina Hernendez age 25
Roy Dan Perez Moran age 23
Patrocino Aguilar Aquilar age 26
Francisco Tepas Catino age 19
Murdered on November 3, 1996:
Luis Alberto Vasquez Ramirez age 2
Marina Elizabeth Vasquez age 9
Alba Leticia Vasquez age 5
Anabel Vasquez age 5
Luis Alberto Ramirez age 25
Ana Cecilia Vasquez Ramirez age 73
Marina Vasquez age 37
Ceberiana Vasquez age 67
We urge you to please send faxes condemning these horrible crimes and
asking that the perpetrators are brought to justice to:
Dr. Armando Calderon Sol
Presidente de la republica de El Salvador
FAX: 503-271-0950
Lic. Mario Acosta Oertel
Minister of the Interior
Ministerio del Interior, Centro de Gobierno
San Salvador, El Salvador
Fax 503-2712484
Copies to:
Dra. Victoria Marina Velasquez de Aviles
Produradora para la defensa de los derechos humanos de El Salvador
9a. Avenida Nte. y Calle Poniente
Edificio Amsa No. 535
San Salvador
El Salvador
Salvadoran National Indigenous Association (ANIS)
Sres
ANIS
Calle Obispo Marroquin
Oficina Antigua Aduane Ferree 5-1
Sonsonante
El Salvador
Sr. Jefe de redaccion
La Prensa Grafica
3a. Calle Poniente No. 130
San Salvador
El Salvador
Sr Jefe de redaccion
Diano Latino
23 Ave. Sur No. 226
Apartado Postal 96
San Salvador
El Salvador
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South and Meso American Indian Rights Center (SAIIC)
P.O. Box 28703
Oakland CA, 94604
Phone: (510)834-4263 Fax: (510)834-4264
Email: saiic@igc.apc.org
Office: 1714 Franklin Street, 3rd Floor, Oakland
Home Page: http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/nativeweb/abyayala/orgs/saiic
For more information about SAIIC, send an empty email message to:
saiic-info@igc.apc.org