Defining Terrorism in El Salvador: "La Matanza"

The term "terrorism" has been defined in a number of ways by a variety of scholars. For the most part, each definition has yielded a limited understanding of the actual phenomenon. This is especially true when analyzing the current wave of international situations in contemporary global affairs, such as those occurring in Central America. This article explores the various actors and motives operating in El Salvador in an attempt to clarify the meaning of terrorism. A case study approach is employed to analyze the evolutionary incidents, the hidden agendas, and the critical issues that characterize terrorism as an activity defined in regard to the perspectives of different political groups.