ACTION ALERT

Take action today to stop the US government from manipulating development aid to promote the interests of Big Agra and seed-selling giants like Monsanto at the expense of El Salvador’s farmers and the millions of families they support. Sign the petition to US Secretary of State John Kerry today!

Local, non-GMO seeds are cultivated on a family farm. (Photo: UN Food and Agriculture Organization)

Background:

By 2009, El Salvador, along with many other countries in the developing world, was facing a food crisis. After years of corporate-driven agricultural and free trade policies, over 75% of corn and 85% of beans – the country’s primary dietary staples – were being imported, rather than grown domestically.

In 2011, El Salvador launched the Family Agriculture Plan to support small-scale farmers living in poverty and promote national food sovereignty. The program includes the purchase of locally-produced, non-GMO corn and bean seeds for family farmers to cultivate and sell on the domestic market. The Family Agriculture Plan has led to record harvests in 2012 and 2013 – local corn and bean seed production is now able to meet the country’s demand.

In April, the US Embassy in El Salvador announced that El Salvador must allow foreign corporations to bid on the same seed contracts currently offered to local producers in order to receive $277 million in development aid from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

Take action today to stop the US government from manipulating development aid to promote the interests of Big Agra and seed-selling giants like Monsanto at the expense of El Salvador’s farmers and the millions of families they support.

Sign the petition to tell MCC President and US Secretary of State John Kerry: family farmers come first in El Salvador, not Monsanto!

Revolutionary Supper Club – April 19 at 5:30 p.m.
The event provides an opportunity to talk with some of our very own elections observers, as well as several longtime Latin America solidarity companer@s.

We’re excited about the recent victory of FMLN president-elect Salvador Sánchez Cerén. The election of Sánchez Cerén, a former comandante and union militant, is a great sign that El Salvador’s radical transformation will continue.

Please join us for good food, time with good friends and a celebration of the strength of the Salvadoran social movement!

Event details:
When: April 19, 5:30 p.m.
Where: 2821 2nd Ave. Seattle, WA 98121
Cost: $20-35 per plate, sliding scale

Please RSVP to seattle@cispes.org if you plan to attend. And you can make your donation via Paypal here. We look forward to sharing a meal with you.

May Day – May 1

Solidarity Cycle – June 21-22

We’re looking forward to seeing you soon.

Seattle CISPES had for delegates who traveled to El Salvador to serve as accredited observers to the Feb. 2 election. The delegates will speak about the trip on Feb. 18. The following are selections from the El Salvador 2014 Elections Blog: News and International Observer Reports from El Salvador’s 2014 Presidential Election.

“US Embassy Congratulates El Salvador for ‘Orderly and Transparent’ Elections”: On Monday, February 3, the US Embassy in El Salvador released a press statement congratulating the people of El Salvador for an “orderly and transparent” Election Day. The international solidarity community welcomed this statement, which comes on the heels of a vast grassroots effort to ensure US neutrality in the face of these historic elections…

“President Funes reports that 24 companies have been charged with influencing votes”: Mauricio Funes, President of the Republic, revealed that a total of 24 companies have been charged before the Labor Ministry for coercing their workers to vote for a particular political party in the second round of elections, which is a felony punishable with jail time…

FMLN Announces Plan to Increase Margin of Victory Heading into Second Round”: About 10:45 CST, Salvador Sánchez Cerén held a press conference to express his confidence that if the FMLN doesn’t win tonight in the first round, that their margin of victory will increase on March 9th…

“CISPES Mid-Day Report, Lots of People Coming to Vote, Polling Places are Calm”: CISPES observers report high voter turnout, as well as a calm environment. Several observers have commented on a lot of support and co-operation among poll workers to make sure that people with disabilities and people with limited mobility are able to vote…

“Ex-President Francisco Flores was Caught Trying to Flee the Country”: Former President Francisco Flores tried to flee the country by crossing the Guatemalan border hidden in a truck on Tuesday, January 28, according to President Mauricio Funes. Flores, who is currently under investigation for embezzling $15 million donated by the Government of Taiwan, failed to appear Tuesday morning for a hearing…

“Left Poised to Win in Upcoming Elections in El Salvador and Costa Rica”: The Tico Times has published an English-language article comparing the two upcoming elections in El Salvador and Costa Rica, both be held on February 2nd. In both countries, the left is poised to possibly win…

“Supreme Court Prohibits Public Functionaries From Campaigning”: This past Friday [January 24], the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court issued a resolution that prohibits public functionaries from participating in a current presidential campaign, regardless of whether they do so outside of work hours…

This article originally appeared in The Daily of UW: http://dailyuw.com/archive/2013/11/24/news/cispes-visits-uw-part-west-coast-tour#.Uqt_RfS1ySq

Francisca Iraheta Romero, public school principal and member of the oldest teachers union in El Salvador, discusses the importance of U.S. neutrality in fair and free elections around the nation.

Photo by Peter Brennan | Courtesy Photo 

November 24, 2013 at 8:51 PM | Christina Cho

On Friday afternoon, the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES) visited the UW with Francisca Iraheta Romero as one of the final destinations of their “The Road to Victory” West Coast speaking tour.

With this tour and other efforts, CISPES is aiming to garner congressional support for a “Dear Colleague” letter addressed to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, demanding that the Department of State issue a statement of neutrality with regards to the 2014 El Salvador presidential elections.

“For every election in the past 20 years, the U.S. has come out on the side of the right-wing. We want the United States to have in writing that it will be neutral in the upcoming elections,” said Allen Hines, Seattle CISPES coordinator.

 The letter claims that in the 2009 election, the people of El Salvador voted “without fear of reprisal” and elected the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN) because the United States ensured its cooperation with any party that the Salvadorans decided to elect.

“We want to continue the progress we made since 2009,” said Romero, by way of Aisha Ashraf, a UW student and CISPES supporter serving as a translator.

Romero joined the CISPES tour to emphasize the importance of U.S. neutrality in the facilitation of fair and free elections in El Salvador. She is a member of the ANDES 21 de Junio, the oldest teacher’s union in El Salvador, and a public school principal to approximately 1,600 students, many of whom come from low-income families.

“The union has been fighting the privatization of the local schools,” Romero said. “The privatization of education is dangerous for the people because they would have to pay for it, and it couldn’t be accessed by so many people. Right now, it is a free program that is giving back so much to the community. People with such small incomes would not be able to pay for the education and careers for their children.”

ANDES 21 de Junio continues to improve the quality of education by ensuring that training of the educators is relevant and competent. Romero explained that the union works internationally with other groups to build different methods of teaching to better the education received by the kids.

“It is really important for these kids to have this right to education,” Romero said.

Ashraf added that the FMLN has pioneered several programs to combat neoliberalism and privatization in El Salvador, especially when it comes to education.

“[The FMLN] was able to run a national literacy program and got free shoes, free uniforms, free meals for the children, and that was sometimes the only meal they would get,” Ashraf said. “The FMLN has made possible so that Salvadorans don’t need to leave their home to gain funds; they don’t need to come to America to gain money. They can start programs there, including social programs.”

Romero’s plea to the students of the university was to learn more about the issues of her country and to stand in solidarity with Salvadorans, who want the freedom to vote in complete fairness.

“We need to be organized in the world to help each other,” Romero said.

Hines added that all students had the power to make a difference by a simple action.

“The way that people could help is by calling their representatives and asking them to sign onto the ‘Dear Colleague’ letter,” Hines explained.

“In the world, there are only two classes: the oppressors and the oppressed,” Romero concluded.

Reach reporter Christina Cho at news@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @CCchews

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Editorial by Aisha Ashraf

After Mauricio Funes assumed office as the President of El Salvador in 2009, humanitarian reforms aimed at fighting poverty became a national focus. Unemployment programs and job training revitalized the local economy. Government funded programs were created to bring jobs, education and infrastructure to some of the most disadvantaged areas of El Salvador. Children across the country with new, locally made uniforms began attending schools where a curriculum combating illiteracy was implemented and free lunches were served. Public health care became a cost-free right for citizens. As the first President from Farabundo Martí Liberation Front (FMLN), these achievements are especially noteworthy in the history of El Salvador. In almost five years, the people of El Salvador have seen and participated in drastic improvements to the progress of their society. However, the future these humanitarian, successful, advances are at stake in the presidential elections of 2014.

Multinational corporations, as well as some countries have interests in the presidential elections of 2014. The United States has long dubbed the FMLN as a “Marxist-Leninist guerrilla terrorists” and tried to influence the fair, democratic voting process in order to prevent an FMLN victory. More recently, a mining company named Pacific Rim has made headlines as they conquest mineral-rich areas of El Salvador. President Funes and his party, as well as many citizens, are aware of the negative effects a large-scale, corporate mining project would bring to El Salvador. Not only would mining pollute water, but deforestation and air pollution would increase due the necessary techniques to mine diamonds, gold and other valuable minerals. So, a private multinational corporation would benefit, while El Salvador’s environment would be dangerously affected. Worrying about a degrading environment and catering to corporate interests could also deteriorate many of the FMLN’s successful social reforms. Pacific Rim’s mining profits would also bring business to countries like Canada, Australia and the United States, yet another reason the United States would be involved in the 2014 elections. It’s important that any and all foreign corporate or governmental influence stays out of the 2014 elections, and leaves El Salvador to perform their own democratic election process, so the voice of the people of El Salvador can be heard and answered.

Join CISPES in the Road to Victory for the 2014 presidential election in El Salvador. Francisca Iraheta Romero, president to one of the oldest teaching unions in El Salvador will just Seattle CISPES November 20, 21, and 22 sharing what is at stake, from a personal viewpoint in the 2014 presidential elections.

On Wednesday, November 20th, at 6:30 PM, Francisca will kick-off her Seattle-area tour at Las Palmas Restaurant in Sea-Tac. This dinner, hosted by the Salvadoran Committee, is a chance for Francisca to talk with Salvadoran organizers living in the United States about strategies for the election, as well as discuss the importance of the FMLN’s social reforms. You are warmly invited to participate in the discussion and meet Francisca! We hope to see you there.

Also, on Thursday, November 21st at 7 p.m. in the evening Francisca will be speaking at Seattle University’s Bannan building. This will be an engaging talk on the importance of government funding for education. Please join us for this exciting and relevant discussion.

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Editorial por Aisha Ashraf
Después de la elección de Mauricio Funes en 2009, el gobierno enfocaba en las reformas humanitarias para reducir la pobreza. Los programas de los desempleos y formación profesional revitilizaron la economía. Para llevar trabajos, educación y infraestructura a las zonas desventajosas en El Salvador, el gobierno fundaba programas. Los niños de todos partes del país empezaban a asistir nuevas escuelas con nuevos uniformes hechos localmente. Las escuelas insisten en un plan de estudios que combata analfabetismo y sirven almuerzos saludables sin costo. Salud publica se convirtió en una derecha humana sin costo para los ciudadanos. Funes es el primer presidente del partido de FMLN y por eso, estos logros son muy importantes de la historia de El Salvador. En casi cinco años, la gente de El Salvador han visto y participado en las mejoras de su sociedad. Sin embargo, el futuro de los avances humanitarios y existosos puede cambiar con las elecciones de 2014.

Las corporaciones multinacionales y algunos países tienen intereses en las elecciones de El Salvador en 2014. Los Estados Unidos siempre se llamaban el FMLN como unas “guerrillas terroristas marxistas-leninistas” y trataban influir el proceso de votar para evitar el éxito del FMLN. Recientemente, una empresa minera se llama Pacific Rim ha estado en los periodicos por que la conquista las zonas llenas de minerales en El Salvador. Las técnicas de la minería contaminaría el agua y aumentaría la deforestación y la contaminación del aire. Pues, una corporación multinacional y privada beneficiaría mientras se destruye el medioambiente de El Salvador. También, preocupar de un medioambiente afectado y satisfacer los intereses corporativos se puede empeorar muchas de las reformas del FMLN. Las ganancias de Pacific Rim produciría ingreso en Los Estados Unidos, Canadá y Australia. Por eso, estos países tiene un interés en las elecciones. Es importante que todas las influencias de los gobiernos extraños se quedan fuera de las elecciones y se permiten el proceso democrático de votar en El Salvador. El salvador necesita una elección de las voces de la gente.

Únese a CISPES en el camino a la victoria de la elección presidencial en 2014. Francisca Iraheta Romero, una presidente de uno de los sindicatos de maestros en El Salvador visitará a Seattle en el 20, 21 y 22 de noviembre con una gira para hablar de sus experiencias y su punto de visto de las elecciones.

El miércoles, 20 de noviembre a las 6:30 por la tarde, Francisca empezaré su gira de Seattle a Las Palmas restaurante en Sea-Tac. Esta cena, organizada por el comité salvadoreño, es la oportunidad para Francisca para hablar con los organizadores salvadoreños viviendo en los EEUU sobre las estrategias para las elecciones, y también para discutir la importancia de las reformas sociales del FMLN. ¡Ustedes están cordialmente invitados a participar en la discusión y conocer a Francisca! Esperamos verle allí.

También, el jueves, 21 de noviembre a las 7 por la noche, Francisca hablará en la universidad de Seattle en el edificio Bannan. Este será una charla interesante sobre la importancia de fondos públicos para la educación. Por favor, acompáñenos para esta discusión emocionante y relevante.

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The Committee In Solidarity with the People of El Salvador is gearing up for another crucial moment in history that determines whether a trend of equitable economies or U.S. imperialism prevails!
El Salvador’s elections are again being influenced by U.S. and corporate interests. We mobilized against U.S. intervention before successfully – in 2009 the State Department caved in to our calls for fairness – and we need to make sure the Salvadoran pueblo succeed again in 2014!

On September 14th and 15th, Seattle CISPES launched its local campaign for elections free of US intervention in 2014. Along with Portland CISPES, members developed skills and confidence in meeting with elected representatives and taking our work to the street at the Broadway Farmer’s market and at Fiestas Patrias events at the Seattle Center.

With the ultimate goal of getting the State Department to issue a neutrality statement concerning the 2014 Salvadoran election, we will build grassroots pressure to demand that our Congressional representatives – and, through them, decision makers at the State Department – support democracy and butt out of El Salvador’s political process.

Five years ago we made it happen. In 2009, the State Department committed to “work with whomever the Salvadoran people elect” and to respect the results of El Salvador’s democratic process. This public declaration was instrumental in ensuring that Salvadorans could elect their own leaders without fear of reprisal from the US government.

Now is the time for a repeat to our success in 2009. Sign the pledge to defend El Salvador’s sovereignty in the 2014 elections here:

El comité de solidaridad con la gente de El Salvador está preparando por otro momento crucial en la historia que se determina si una tendencia de economías justas o imperialismo estadounidense sobrevive. Las elecciones de El Salvador están siendo influido por los Estados Unidos y intereses corporativos. En 2009, nosotros organizamos en contra de la intervención estadounidense con éxito; el departamento de Estado respondió a nuestro llame de justicia. Necesitamos asegurar que el pueblo salvadoreño tiene éxito otra vez en 2014. En el 14 y 15 de septiembre, CISPES de Seattle empezó la campaña local para elecciones sin intervención del EE.UU. en 2014. Con Portland CISPES, nuestros miembros desarrollaron habilidades y confianza para reunirse con representantes elegidos y trabajar con la comunidad en mercados locales y Fiestas Patrias del centro de Seattle.

Nuestro meta final es para que el departamento de Estado publica una declaración de neutralidad sobre las elecciones de El Salvador en 2014. Vamos a crear presión popular para demandar que nuestro representantes congresos y el departamento de Estado apoyan la democracia y salen de el proceso político de El Salvador.

Hace cinco años, lo hicimos. En 2009, el departamento de Estado se comprometieron a “trabajar con quien los salvadoreños eligen” y dar respeto a los resultados del proceso democrático de El Salvador. Esta declaración pública era necesaria para asegurar que los salvadoreños podrían elegir sus propios líderes sin miedo de castigo del gobierno estadounidense. Ahorra, es el tiempo para repetir nuestro éxito en 2009.

Firmar el compromiso de defender la soberanía de El Salvador en las elecciones de 2014 aquí:

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