¡RIOT!

April 29th 1992, there were riots on the streets tell me where were you?”

-Sublime

So sure, El Salvador is the most violent country in the Western Hemisphere. I mean, with the amount of violence this country has experienced since, well, The Conquest, El Salvador is one of those countries that has had it all. Look at its history: Authoritarian regimes, a civil war and now gang violence. According to recent numbers El Salvador has 54.7 homicides per 100,000 as compared to 40.6 in Honduras, 37.5 in Guatemala at a close second, the ever violent Costa Rica with 7.6. For a time, Colombia had the honor of “most violent” but, where it stands now, Colombia is at 33.7 and receding.

Let’s look at the most recent and violent moments since I’ve been here (it is also during this time that El Salvador became “most violent”):

Let’s see, first comes to mind the time the body of a child was found in the woods with her stomach slashed opened. Apparently, she was used as a drug mule but I never heard of a follow-up to her story. Okay, Maria Full of Grace, saw it already.

Highly organized heist where the robbers got away with almost $1,000,000 using AK-47’s, eh, saw “Heat” about 10 times.

Gang members through a grenade at a local club, a retaliation for being kicked out, killing the guards and a few other people (I think, not sure of the body count). Okay, points for originality, moving on

San Salvador in response just about declares martial law by utilizing the military to walks the capital’s streets. Saw The Siege already too.

With all the violence this country has been plagued with something was missing. It was hard to put my finger on it and maybe because of where I come from, a country that feeds off violence as a form of entertainment, “sadism is in vogue” to take a piece from Devon Gordon of Newsweek and as such I just felt something was missing, a staple event that needed to happen to truly be a really violent city and earn it’s rightful place in the Hall of Shame.

It was on the eve of 7th of Abril that I realized what was missing. Of course, how can I be so naive and forget the true result of urban sprawl and economic inopportunity: riots! That’s that I’m talking about, the kind that use tear gas and people set buildings ablaze as if we were in Detroit on Devil’s Night. Ah yes, FINALLY, a face off between the PNC (Policia Nacional Civil/Nactional Civil Police) with the aid of La Unidad de Mantenimeiento del Orden (I need to learn more about these guys) versus…well, those that sell pirated intellectual property: CD’s and DVD’s. That’s right, fighting for your right to break the law, I love it! But, unfortunately, with CAFTA in place, the political ARENA running the country, there’s a crackdown on pirated material.

Are details really necessary? You know what happened already. Details are unimportant so much as the actual act. How do I feel about it? Well, my DVD’s use to cost $3, now $4 and then went back down to $3 and I don’t even want to ask what they’re going for now. On a side note I went to the beach with my friend and his family, we went swimming out past the waves into the deep blue sea where the water the calm and air silent. He asked if I was scared of sharks of jellyfish attacking me. I responded that there was more of a chance of being shot in the head on my many trips to the capital. He was quite, understanding that the ratio was higher in favor of my execution by gun fire. I guess your right he responded, and we swam out further.

To be fare, homicides did go down 6% during Semana Santa, Holy Week, where the world of El Salvador, including some hospitals and police units, take a break. Only 100+ murders this time. What they did and I applaud them for it, was beefing up security and with what I saw, it was competent security meaning they stepped in when there was trouble rather than running away.

Well, I’m off to the capital now for the Swearing In celebration. As my self proclaimed theme I will be wearing red, of course and a green military hat with a red star, so come Thursday, WEAR RED!

Your Affectionate Volunteer,Scrutape