For some Salvadorans, the promise of the “American Dream” has been tainted by coordinated deterrence efforts from Mexico and the United States. They're looking to places like Costa Rica for refuge — for now.
In El Salvador, where political corruption is rampant, a young mayor with presidential aspirations catapults to the top with one simple promise: he won’t steal.
Innocent youth are getting swept up in El Salvador's crackdown in their war on gangs. Daniel Alemán, 23, walked free after spending over a year behind bars on trumped-up extortion charges in El Salvador. Others are not so lucky.
In December 2014, the Obama administration rolled out the Central American Minors Program, which gives young people the option of asking for US asylum while still in their home country.
Many Salvadorans say they're harassed and worse by heavily armed police patrolling poor neighborhoods. But few dare to use the latest technology to hold security forces accountable.
José has already tried to escape from El Salvador to the US this summer — twice. But he's failed each time, and now he's dodging gang violence at home while trying to make yet another attempt to leave.
El Salvador has the world's second highest murder rate. More than 4,300 occurred there last year alone. Though the U.S. has poured millions of dollars into anti-gang efforts in the country, nothing seemed to change until a few months ago when the Catholic Church stepped in.
Thousands of kids from Central America are being intercepted every month trying to enter the United States. Most are traveling alone. What forces a parent to send their child on such a dangerous trip? And what are countries like El Salvador doing to stop them?
Some Americans blame President Obama for the flood of Central American children who have crossed into the US this year. They believe his policy sends a message of leniency that is attracting them. But a reporter who just returned from Guatemala and El Salvador says most are simply fleeing violence, and don't have any clue about US policy.
José has already tried to escape from El Salvador to the US this summer — twice. But he's failed each time, and now he's dodging gang violence at home while trying to make yet another attempt to leave.
Many Salvadorans say they're harassed and worse by heavily armed police patrolling poor neighborhoods. But few dare to use the latest technology to hold security forces accountable.
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After War, El Salvador Confronts Ravaged Environment
Living on Earth
March 13, 1992
Global Politics
El Salvador Claims Violence Decline, Mother Still Looks for Kidnapped Son
PRI's The World
July 20, 2012
A recent truce brokered by the Catholic Church has brought down the violence, but that hasn't helped a woman whose son is still missing.
El Salvador struggles to reduce gang violence while mother looks for kidnapped son
PRI's The World
July 24, 2012
El Salvador has the world's second highest murder rate. More than 4,300 occurred there last year alone. Though the U.S. has poured millions of dollars into anti-gang efforts in the country, nothing seemed to change until a few months ago when the Catholic Church stepped in.
Business, Economics and Jobs
'You send your children away because, like human beings everywhere, you want them to have a decent life'
PRI's The World
July 01, 2014
Thousands of kids from Central America are being intercepted every month trying to enter the United States. Most are traveling alone. What forces a parent to send their child on such a dangerous trip? And what are countries like El Salvador doing to stop them?
Global Politics
Is US policy toward migrant children enticing them to cross into the US?
PRI's The World
July 15, 2014
Some Americans blame President Obama for the flood of Central American children who have crossed into the US this year. They believe his policy sends a message of leniency that is attracting them. But a reporter who just returned from Guatemala and El Salvador says most are simply fleeing violence, and don't have any clue about US policy.
Arts, Culture & Media
How the US is trying to deter migrants from Central America — with music
PRI's The World
July 17, 2014
A catchy song is getting plenty of play on Central American airwaves, but not everyone knows it was funded by the US government.
Conflict
Gang violence awaits a teen from El Salvador after his failed attempts to reach the US
PRI's The World
September 18, 2014
José has already tried to escape from El Salvador to the US this summer — twice. But he's failed each time, and now he's dodging gang violence at home while trying to make yet another attempt to leave.
Conflict
Salvadorans battle a resurgence of gang violence
PRI's The World
June 04, 2015
In May, more Salvadorans were shot and killed than in any month since the country's civil war ended in 1992.
Conflict
Salvadoran gangs use Facebook to track down victims
PRI's The World
May 26, 2016
Youth on the run from gangs in Central America are cautioned to check their social media settings.
Conflict
Here's why Salvadorans don't reach for their cellphones to record police abuse
PRI's The World
July 07, 2016
Many Salvadorans say they're harassed and worse by heavily armed police patrolling poor neighborhoods. But few dare to use the latest technology to hold security forces accountable.