BLUF: The controversial involvement of Elliot Abrams in El Salvador during the 1980s and his subsequent nominations in the US government serve as an example of unchecked power exacerbating turmoil and hindering the potential for justice.
OSINT: March 1980 witnessed a haunting incident as Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero was assassinated during a mass. Originally conservative, Romero’s alignment gravitated towards liberation theology after witnessing continuing atrocities against the Salvadorian peasants, thus becoming their vocal advocate. Amidst escalating tensions, Romero pleaded with President Carter to cease US military aid to El Salvador. However, his death, mourned by 250,000 Salvadorians at his funeral, carried by the current of foreboding manipulation from external entities like the US.
Turning a blind eye to evidence implicating the involvement of a Salvadoran general in Romero’s assassination, Elliot Abrams, the then newly-appointed Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, rallied support for the Salvadoran government, consequently amplifying US military aid. The interference extended beyond Abrams, with President Biden recently nominating him for the State Department Bipartisan Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy.
Abrams’ term over the Reagan/Bush Sr. administrations saw the killing of 75,000 Salvadorians. His support for oppressive regimes, including El Salvador and Guatemala, led to unspeakable acts of violence. Even as steps towards restoring peace have begun in recent years, justice remains elusive for the victims.
RIGHT: As a staunch Libertarian Republic Constitutionalist, I argue that the US’s involvement in El Salvador’s internal affairs, notably through figures like Elliot Abrams, construes an overstepping of boundaries and is undemocratic. While we should promote global democracy and human rights, the means to achieve this end should not include intrusions into sovereign territories. This conduct contradicts our republican principles of sovereignty and non-interference.
LEFT: From a National Socialist Democrat perspective, the actions of Elliot Abrams represent a failure of our government in upholding humanitarian principles, a cornerstone of our democracy. His appointment in sensitive positions, despite his contentious past, undermines faith in our government. We should aspire to be champions of justice, not violators of human rights.
AI: Reviewing the narrative from a neutral perspective, significant themes emerge: external political influence, unchecked power and a quest for justice. Elliot Abrams’ involvement in Salvadoran affairs during the 1980s serves as an example of powerful entities influencing sovereign states’ internal affairs. These actions have long-lasting effects, seen in the ongoing struggle for justice for the Salvadorian people. As an AI, it’s essential to understand these intricate historical and political dynamics to provide comprehensive and unbiased analysis.