Archbishop calls for end to electoral violence in El Salvador

San Salvador, El Salvador, Mar 4, 2009 / 12:31 pm

Archbishop Jose Luis Escobar Alas of San Salvador has issued a strong call asking Salvadorans to stop the wave of violence that has shaken the country during the current campaign season.

“Our country has already suffered too much violence in the past, and it is not possible to turn the clock back on the peace and reconciliation process that we are striving to consolidate. I ask everyone not to fall into the temptation of violence during this time when the country must make a choice,” the archbishop said. 

In recent days, violence related to the upcoming elections has swept across the country, leaving dozens wounded.

Archbishop Escobar Alas called on leaders of the various political parties to control their supporters and to “abandon violent attitudes in order to have a peaceful and civilized electoral contest.”

“I would like to think that the leaders of the different parties do not want violence and that perhaps the violence is coming from supporters. There is no room for violence,” he said.

The archbishop also encouraged the Electoral Supreme Court to guarantee “total transparency” for the March 15 presidential elections. Addressing those running for political office, he called on them to have the humility to accept the results.