A trial is scheduled for April 23, 2025, against former Salvadoran Defense Minister José Guillermo García and two colonels for the 1982 murder of four Dutch journalists. This trial follows a UN Truth Commission’s conclusion that the killings were premeditated. García and Morán are under arrest, while Reyes Mena awaits extradition from the U.S.
The trial against former El Salvador Defense Minister José Guillermo García and two colonels, accused of murdering four Dutch journalists in 1982, is set to commence on April 23, 2025. The journalists—Jan Cornelius Kuiper Joop, Koos Jacobus Andries Koster, Hans Lodewijk ter Laag, and Johannes Jan Willemsen—were killed in Chalatenango while documenting the Salvadoran civil war. This trial marks a significant moment in seeking justice for their deaths, occurring 43 years after the ambush on March 17, 1982.
The final phase of this historic trial was announced by the Salvadoran Association for Human Rights and the Comunicándonos Foundation, organizations supporting the victims’ relatives. The trial is expected to last approximately one week. Currently, General José Guillermo García, age 91, and Colonel Francisco Antonio Morán, age 93, are being held in a private hospital, while the third defendant, Colonel Mario Reyes Mena, age 85, resides in the United States. Recent approval for his extradition was granted by the Salvadoran Supreme Court.
The families of the victims are represented by lawyer Pedro Cruz, who indicated that the court will assess the collected evidence during the hearing. The proceedings are being conducted by the Court of First Instance of Dulce Nombre de María, situated 78 kilometers north of San Salvador. Notably, a UN-established Truth Commission in 1993 determined that the killings were the result of a premeditated ambush by Colonel Reyes, implicating other military officials.
In summary, the trial set for April 23, 2025, represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing quest for accountability regarding the 1982 murders of Dutch journalists in El Salvador. With the involvement of high-ranking military officials and the long-standing advocacy of human rights organizations, this case reflects the continuing efforts to address historical injustices within the context of the Salvadoran civil war. As the proceedings unfold, they will be closely monitored by both the international community and the victims’ families seeking justice.
Original Source: ticotimes.net
