El Salvador
El Salvador is Central America’s smallest, most densely populated country. Though homicides have declined in recent years, the country’s street gangs, known as maras, still dominate many communities — subjecting Salvadorans to threats, extortion and sexual violence. Since peace accords ended civil war in 1992, the country has changed from a military-dominated regime to a relatively open society with competitive elections, independent judges and investigative media outlets. USIP will work to protect these fragile gains by supporting civil society organizations dedicated to reducing polarization, preventing conflict and building resilient communities.
Featured Research & Analysis
Mary Speck on China’s Search for Inroads into Central America
China has ramped up its engagement in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador so that it can “operate in the United States’ backyard,” says USIP’s Mary Speck. However, China “likes to give showy gifts, but hasn’t really invested” in what the region needs to address governance issues, economic instability and organized crime.
La Seguridad de EE. UU. en las Américas Pasa por El Salvador, Guatemala y Honduras
Los tres países más septentrionales de Centroamérica —Guatemala, El Salvador y Honduras— se encuentran entre los más pequeños y pobres del hemisferio occidental. Aunque a menudo pasados por alto, su ubicación en el punto de conexión entre América del Norte y del Sur los hace peligrosos de ignorar. La inestabilidad política y económica en esta región estratégicamente ubicada puede repercutir en toda América.
U.S. Security in the Americas Flows Through El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras
The three northernmost countries of Central America — Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras — are among the smallest and poorest in the Western Hemisphere. Though often overlooked, their location at the nexus of North and South America also makes them dangerous to ignore. Political and economic turmoil in this strategically located region can reverberate throughout the Americas.