tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177745.post2841704780679975772..comments2024-03-28T11:30:20.005-05:00Comments on El Salvador Perspectives: Despues de las tormentas - after the stormsTimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02452039674856298357noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9177745.post-70514373363468897472009-11-11T19:33:17.556-06:002009-11-11T19:33:17.556-06:00Salvadoran commentators refer to "vulnerabili...Salvadoran commentators refer to "vulnerabilidad" and "inseguridad" in assessing the country's status, after being lashed by high incidence of crime, by calamitous rains, and, lest we forget, by the H1N1 virus. Clearly, if there was any country that was rendered vulnerable and faced critical security challenges, El Salvador in 2009 is that country. But, some of the greatest abuses of power in history have the term "security" and the feeling of exceptional vulnerability attached to them. El Salvador's case is made more conspicuous by the presence of a charismatic leader with soaring popularity ratings who is flexing his muscle, applauded as he deploys the army to fight petty crime -- a notion that would have given people chills in decades past, when the same army was used to oppress the populace. To make matters worse, President Mauricio Funes is facing down an opposition in shambles. The moment is critical and in his hands is the power to destroy, or he can exercise prudence and restraint and thus break through to a new paradigm and democratic epoch for El Salvador. Funes has a chance to be Hugo Chavez, if he wants to. He can make a power grab, right now, and attain awesome authority. Or he can be Abraham Lincoln. We watch with baited breath.Carlos X.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16580093848691478319noreply@blogger.com