On Tuesday afternoon, ARENA party activists held a rally outside of Metro Centro (one of San Salvador’s main shopping malls). A large trolley-like vehicle decorated with ARENA flags was parked in the median in front of the mall and supporters in ARENA t-shirts waved flags at the intersection. I happened to see this while traveling by bus to meet up with a friend.
The next morning, an altercation between these ARENA supporters and the FMLN was front page news, which included a photo of the damaged ARENA vehicle. The reporting suggested FMLN supporters initiated an attack. There have been many claims by the ARENA party of acts of violence by FMLN supporters, and the alleged acts have received extensive coverage. Portraying the FMLN as violent is a key component of the ARENA party’s message. Such messaging no doubt conjurs up memories of El Salvador’s violent past.
But the video below which aired on Channel 21 proves that this particular incident was provoked by ARENA supporters participating in the rally. A video camera caught ARENA members getting out of a vehicle in front of the trolley, taking rocks out of backpacks and throwing them at FMLN supporters on the other side of the street.
Tags: 2009 Presidential Election, ARENA, Avila, El Salvador, FMLN, Funes
