Overview

Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez was the Archbishop of San Salvador who became the most prominent voice against government-sponsored violence and death squads in El Salvador. Initially appointed as a conservative who the military establishment expected would not challenge them; Romero was radicalized by the assassination of his friend Father Rutilio Grande in March 1977. He began using his weekly radio homilies to document murders; disappearances; and torture by the U.S.-backed Salvadoran military and death squads. His broadcasts were the only truthful source of news for most Salvadorans. On March 24; 1980; Romero was assassinated by a single bullet to the heart while celebrating Mass at a hospital chapel. The killing was ordered by death squad leader Major Roberto D'Aubuisson; a graduate of the U.S. School of the Americas. The day before his assassination; Romero had directly addressed Salvadoran soldiers in his homily: "I beg you; I implore you; I order you in the name of God: stop the repression!" The U.S. continued providing $1.5 million per day in military aid to El Salvador's government throughout the civil war (1979-1992); which killed 75;000 people. Reagan administration officials; particularly Elliott Abrams; systematically downplayed the atrocities. Romero was canonized as a saint by Pope Francis in 2018.

Key Affiliations

Controversies & Concerns

Related Investigations (2)

Known Associates & Connections

Sources & Documentation

1 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports