Grateful for the opportunity to celebrate our Hispanic and Latinx Heritage, and discuss the bittersweet question of what there is to celebrate in Central America. This question resonates deeply throughout the Americas, as we are well-aware of, that the region has a long, complex history of struggle and resilience. In Central America, the celebration of independence is marked by two separate occasions: the freedom from Spain’s stronghold after 230 years and the independence as separate countries in the mid-1800s. Despite these milestones, Central America continues to be plagued by structural inequality, poverty, unemployment, and income disparity. The word “celebrate” is oftentimes inadvertently used to obscure the actions of conscientious freedom fighters. However, their pro-democracy grito is heard loud and clear, notwithstanding the relentless barrage of assaults that consistently curtail the fragile liberties.

A Truth-seeking Journey

Twenty years ago, while working as a professor at UH, I discovered that some of my Latino students were not originally from Mexico, as I had assumed. These students hailed from Central American countries such as El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Initially, I didn’t pay much attention to the cultural and linguistic differences among them. However, my perspective changed when I worked at a detention center for asylum-seeking mothers from Central America and witnessed first-hand their painful stories and the reasons behind their decisions to flee their countries.

Realizing how limited my understanding was of their situation, I made a decisive turning point and committed myself to a truth-seeking journey. My motivation was driven by a sense of activism that I had never felt before. I wanted to understand why these women decided to leave their homes and what circumstances led to their life-changing and dangerous decisions.

The truth-seeking journey encompassed two aspects of importance: historical significance and personal significance. In terms of historical significance, I delved into numerous multi-modal archives to select well-established facts, figures, and other notable information that would contribute to a comprehensive, concise understanding of the truth. It was crucial to write about a holistic truth that would illuminate the complex realities faced by Central American women.

On a personal level, I made a commitment to select specific stories of women and their families that resonated with common sense and understanding, and included the painful and chaotic consequences they endured. This required an emotional investment on my part, as I immersed myself within their world, empathizing with their thoughts, anguish, and tragedies to the best of my ability.

Positioning the women as protagonists in a story of struggle and resistance was not a difficult task for me. The armed conflicts in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua forced these women to experience unrelenting  fear, profound tragedies, as well as bravery and courage in ways they never imagined. I understood their agony, frustration, and anger, even if I could never fully comprehend their excruciating pain. Their stories became a testament to their resilience and determination.

Although the armed conflicts may have ended, the women today know that the war continues – albeit in different forms. They expect to adapt and face new challenges, becoming front-line resistance fighters, this time in the battle for democracy, justice, equality, and in defending human rights. 

What are the present-day challenges?

The erosion of democracy in Central America has been a growing concern in recent years. 

One of the most significant factors contributing to the erosion of democracy in Central America is corruption. 

In all three countries, corruption has been a persistent problem that has undermined the rule of law and eroded public trust in government institutions. This has led to a lack of accountability and transparency, which has allowed those in power to act with impunity.

Another common factor is the legacy of civil war and political violence. These armed conflicts have left deep scars on society and created a culture of violence that persists to this day. However, it’s important to note that in the current state of affairs, no one in Central America considers any kind of armed rebellion as an answer to the problems. Even so, these legacies have made it difficult for these countries to build strong democratic institutions and establish a culture of respect for human rights.

Despite these challenges, all three countries have maintained a democratic electoral process. However, this alone is not enough to ensure a functioning democracy. In Guatemala’s past, for example, the electoral process has been marred by numerous allegations of fraud and manipulation. In El Salvador, the current president has declared his candidacy for a re-election bid, which is unconstitutional. In Nicaragua, the government has used its control over the electoral process to suppress opposition voices and maintain its grip on power. Interesting to note how social media platforms have become powerful communication tools. However, in El Salvador, an army of net center trolls feed an abundance of misinformation and half-truths to their audience, while in Guatemala, as of recent development, a unique model of social media has emerged, where the focus is on setting the record straight and making sure that the truth is in the public eye. These tasks are mostly operationalized by a growing number of citizens doing their civic duty.

The erosion of democracy in Central America is a complicated issue with no easy solutions. However, there are steps that can be taken to address the underlying factors contributing to the problem. I believe we have an understanding of what is important.

We know that this includes strengthening institutions to promote accountability and transparency, addressing corruption, and promoting respect for human rights. It also requires a commitment to building a culture of democracy that values the participation of all citizens and promotes the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

Of the three countries, Guatemala stands a chance in strengthening democratic institutions with the recent election of Bernardo Arévalo, the son of Juan José Arévalo, the democratically elected president in 1944, and Karin Herrera as president and vice-president elect, respectively. However, their reform-minded agenda is viewed as an uphill battle considering how the three branches of the Guatemalan government are determined to block their inaugural ascendency in January of next year.

Finally, the transformative consequence of the truth-seeking process.

As a result:

1.  My eyes and ears are wide open. I stand in solidarity with the women whose causes for human rights, equality, and justice are mine as well. I consider self-education as essential, necessary, and a responsibility of each of us as citizens of this earth. Auto-didacticism is alive and well;

2.  I have a WILLINGNESS to speak up, take action; and

3.  Knowing the truth and speaking the truth is front and center in my life.

Through my truth-seeking journey, I aimed to bring attention to the experiences of Central American women and beyond, and their unwavering resilience. Their stories serve as a call to action, urging us to work towards a future where all individuals can celebrate true freedom and equality. What happens in one part of our world affects us all. 

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—Special thanks to Liladhar Pendse for an invitation to speak at UC Berkeley Library’s Hispanic American Heritage Month on September 18, 2023.