United Nations Observer Mission in El Salvador (ONUSAL)

The United Nations Observer Mission in El Salvador (ONUSAL) is one of the most important in terms of Spanish participation.

The mission was established as a result of UN Security Council Resolution 693 (1991) at the request of the parties concerned and as a result of the positive report of the technical reconnaissance mission charged with analysing the opportunity of launching the Human Right Division.

Spain contributed five out of the 15 officers who made up the group of advisors. In addition, four civil guards and four policemen joined ONUSAL’s police contingent in the initial phase of the mission. The Spanish contribution was completed with civil servants specialised in different fields.

Following negotiations at Chapultepec between the Salvadorian government and the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front, which counted with the participation of a Spanish military advisor, a ceasefire was agreed on and ONUSAL was assigned the task of verifying that it was adhered to.

In January 1992 101 officers joined the ONUCA forces already on the ground, bringing the number of Spanish military observers in ONUSAL’s Military Division to 138. They were under the command of a Spanish brigadier general, also from ONUCA. They would stay until April 1995.