A Cold-War Conundrum: British 'Aid' to El Salvador 1970-2009

This research project aims to analyse the changing nature of British intervention in El Salvador across three periods: the pre-civil war 1970s, during rising political tensions and repression; the civil war (1980-92) between state forces and the left-wing FMLN guerrilla movement; and post-conflict (1992-2009) a period ending in an electoral FMLN victory. The research hopes to show how political and human rights agendas affected the nature of British intervention and the ways in which such aid was distributed and used. It aims to establish the factors that prompted the UK's involvement, to explore Britain's actions during the civil war, and then the changing scope and nature of its involvement. The research will examine the extent and impact of state-perpetrated human rights violations in El Salvador and the corresponding nature of UK intervention in, and aid to, the country.