Editing History of El Salvador (section)

==Salvadoran Civil War (1979–1992)==
{{Main|Salvadoran Civil War}}
[[File: José Napoleón Duarte 1987.jpg|thumb|[[José Napoleón Duarte]], 1987]]
In 1979 the reformist [[Revolutionary Government Junta of El Salvador|Revolutionary Government Junta]] took power. Both the far right and the far left political wings disagreed with the new government and increased political violence rapidly developed into a civil war. The initially poorly trained [[Armed Forces of El Salvador]] (ESAF) engaged in repression and indiscriminate killings, the most notorious of which was the [[El Mozote massacre]] in December 1981. The United States supported the government, while Cuba and other Communist states supported the insurgents—now organized as the [[Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front]] (FMLN). The [[Chapultepec Peace Accords]] marked the end of the war in 1992, and the FMLN became one of the major political parties.

In accordance with the peace agreements, the [[Constitution of El Salvador|constitution]] was amended to prohibit the military from playing an internal security role except under extraordinary circumstances. [[Demobilization]] of Salvadoran military forces generally proceeded on schedule throughout the peace process. The Treasury Police, [[National Guard (El Salvador)|National Guard]], and National Police were abolished, and military intelligence functions were transferred to civilian control. By 1993—nine months ahead of schedule—the military had cut personnel from a war-time high of 63,000 to the level of 32,000 required by the peace accords.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

By 1999, ESAF strength stood at less than 15,000, including uniformed and non-uniformed personnel. A purge of military officers accused of human rights abuses and corruption was completed in 1993 in compliance with the Ad Hoc Commission's recommendations. The new doctrine, professionalism, and complete withdrawal from political and economic affairs leave the ESAF as one of the most respected institutions in El Salvador.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}}

More than 35,000 eligible beneficiaries from among the former guerrillas and soldiers who fought in the war received land under the peace accord-mandated land transfer program, which ended in January 1997. The majority of these also received agricultural credits.<ref>"[https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2033.htm Background Note: El Salvador]", U.S. Department of State (accessed February 3, 2010).</ref>

The democratic process in El Salvador is delicately balanced, since the [[Legislative Assembly of El Salvador|Legislative Assembly]] decreed an amnesty after the Chapultepec Peace Accords. As a result of this amnesty, no one responsible for crimes carried out before, during and after the war has been convicted.