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| 1977, Feb |
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| Due to fraudulent elections during which ORDEN bands terrorized opponents, Gen. Carlos Humberto Romero became president. He raised the brutal tactics of earlier regimes to new levels. As the Left and the Right mobilized for civil war, Romero intensified repression and made radical priests a major target. | 1 |
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| Feb. 15 |
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| During a rally of over 50,000 people protesting the election in San Salvador, police and ORDEN soldiers opened fire, killing 100. | 2 |
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| Nov |
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| Romero introduced the Law for the Defense and Guarantee of Public Order, which banned public assembly and gave the army broad repressive powers. The law led to increased ORDEN death squad activity and political murders. At the same time, repression increased support for leftist movements such as the Front for United Popular Action (FAPU). | 3 |
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