Revolutionary Party of Central American Workers – El Salvador
Encyclopedia
The Revolutionary Party of the Central American Workers – El Salvador was a political party
in El Salvador
. The party was one of five constituents of the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front
during the Salvadoran Civil War.
The party was formed by the Salvadoran branch of the Revolutionary Party of Central American Workers (PRTC), as the PRTC was dissolved in October 1980. The dissolution of the Central American structure of PRTC was a precondition for the Salvadoran PRTC to join the FMLN. On December 5, 1980, the Salvadoran PRTC joined FMLN.
In November 1980, the PRTC leader Humberto Mendoza was killed.
In January 1981, FMLN launched ’total war’ against the Salvadoran state. The major zones of military operations of PRTC were San Salvador
, Guazapa
, northern San Vicente
, southern Usulután
and northern San Miguel. The major military formation of PRTC at the time was Destacamento Luis Diaz. The PRTC built up two schools, a political-ideological school named as Adan Diaz and a military school named after Humberto Mendoza.
The third party congress (counting the two congresses of the unified PRTC as its own) was held in Guazapa in January. Francisco Jovel was elected as the new General Secretary. The congress came to the conclusion that the war was likely to be prolonged, and thus the party reoriented itself towards more focus on combining armed struggle with mass struggles.
In 1983, the PRTC launched an urban guerrilla structure, Comandos Urbanos Mardoqueo Cruz. The party also built up a 'Special Force', to conduct strategic actions. In June 1985 an attack against U.S. Marines was carried out by the Comandos Urbanos Mardoqueno Cruz, killing 13 people (including four civilians).
In 1987 PRTC took part in building up the Movimiento Pan Tierra y Fuego.
In September 1992, FMLN was transformed into a political party. The PRTC party structure was maintained, though. The fourth party congress of PRTC was held in 1993, which reelected Jovel as General Secretary and Nidia Diaz as Joint Secretary.
During 1993, after the signing of peace treaty, the PRTC lost several of its leaders in political assassinations, such as Francisco Veliz and Mario López. Nidia Diaz was attacked twice.
The 1994 fifth party congress decided to remove Jovel and Dias from the PRTC leadership, since they had been included in the Political Commission of FMLN. Manuel Melgar was elected as the new General Secretary and Aída Herrara as Joint Coordinator.
The sixth party congress, held in June 1995, decided to dissolve the PRTC, as part of the process of transforming FMLN into a unitary party.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
. The party was one of five constituents of the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front
Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front
The Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front is, since 1992, a left-wing political party in El Salvador and formerly a coalition of five revolutionary guerrilla organizations...
during the Salvadoran Civil War.
The party was formed by the Salvadoran branch of the Revolutionary Party of Central American Workers (PRTC), as the PRTC was dissolved in October 1980. The dissolution of the Central American structure of PRTC was a precondition for the Salvadoran PRTC to join the FMLN. On December 5, 1980, the Salvadoran PRTC joined FMLN.
In November 1980, the PRTC leader Humberto Mendoza was killed.
In January 1981, FMLN launched ’total war’ against the Salvadoran state. The major zones of military operations of PRTC were San Salvador
San Salvador
The city of San Salvador the capital and largest city of El Salvador, which has been designated a Gamma World City. Its complete name is La Ciudad de Gran San Salvador...
, Guazapa
Guazapa
Guazapa is a municipality in the San Salvador department of El Salvador.An area known for fostering FMLN combatants during the 1990s...
, northern San Vicente
San Vicente
San Vicente can refer to:*Argentina**San Vicente, Buenos Aires**San Vicente Partido*Bolivia**San Vicente Canton, Bolivia and its seat San Vicente*Chile**San Vicente, Chile*Colombia**San Vicente del Caguán** San Vicente, Antioquia...
, southern Usulután
Usulután
Usulután is the 5th largest city in El Salvador, and capital of the Department of Usulutan in the south-east of El Salvador. As of 2006, it is estimated to have population of 71,636 people.Usulutan rests in a rich agricultural valley....
and northern San Miguel. The major military formation of PRTC at the time was Destacamento Luis Diaz. The PRTC built up two schools, a political-ideological school named as Adan Diaz and a military school named after Humberto Mendoza.
The third party congress (counting the two congresses of the unified PRTC as its own) was held in Guazapa in January. Francisco Jovel was elected as the new General Secretary. The congress came to the conclusion that the war was likely to be prolonged, and thus the party reoriented itself towards more focus on combining armed struggle with mass struggles.
In 1983, the PRTC launched an urban guerrilla structure, Comandos Urbanos Mardoqueo Cruz. The party also built up a 'Special Force', to conduct strategic actions. In June 1985 an attack against U.S. Marines was carried out by the Comandos Urbanos Mardoqueno Cruz, killing 13 people (including four civilians).
In 1987 PRTC took part in building up the Movimiento Pan Tierra y Fuego.
In September 1992, FMLN was transformed into a political party. The PRTC party structure was maintained, though. The fourth party congress of PRTC was held in 1993, which reelected Jovel as General Secretary and Nidia Diaz as Joint Secretary.
During 1993, after the signing of peace treaty, the PRTC lost several of its leaders in political assassinations, such as Francisco Veliz and Mario López. Nidia Diaz was attacked twice.
The 1994 fifth party congress decided to remove Jovel and Dias from the PRTC leadership, since they had been included in the Political Commission of FMLN. Manuel Melgar was elected as the new General Secretary and Aída Herrara as Joint Coordinator.
The sixth party congress, held in June 1995, decided to dissolve the PRTC, as part of the process of transforming FMLN into a unitary party.