Archive · 5 Jun 2025
Salvadoran Court Convicts Officers in 1982 Killing of Dutch Journalists
In El Salvador, a court has found three old military leaders guilty of killing four Dutch reporters way back in 1982.
These reporters were trying to write about the country's civil war.
The military officers set up a trap and ambushed the journalists.
The trial took place in 2025, and the officers got 15-year sentences.
The court also told the current president to say sorry publicly for what happened.
A past investigation said that one of the officers planned the killings with other officials' knowledge.
Three former Salvadoran military officers were convicted for the 1982 killings of four Dutch journalists.
The trial occurred in Chalatenango, El Salvador, and concluded on June 3, 2025.
Those convicted include former Defense Minister Gen. José Guillermo García, Col. Francisco Morán, and Col. Mario Adalberto Reyes Mena.
The judge ordered President Nayib Bukele to issue a public apology to the victims.
The UN Truth Commission concluded there was clear evidence the killings were an ambush by Reyes Mena with the knowledge of other officials.
- Who
- Former Salvadoran military officers and Dutch journalists.
- What
- Three former Salvadoran military officers were convicted for the 1982 murders of four Dutch journalists.
- When
- The killings occurred in 1982; the trial concluded on June 3, 2025.
- Where
- Chalatenango, El Salvador.
- Why
- The journalists were ambushed by Salvadoran soldiers while reporting on the civil war.
- Year of Killings
- 1982
- Trial Conclusion
- June 3, 2025
- Sentences
- 15 years
- Number of Journalists Killed
- Four
- Location
- El Salvador