| |
| 1987, April |
| |
| Rebel forces attacked the second largest military base in the nation at El Paraiso, destroying the base and killing dozens of soldiers. | 1 |
| |
| 1989 |
| |
| El Salvador's population reached 5,125,000. | 2 |
| |
| March 19 |
| |
| In elections boycotted by the Left, ARENA's Alfredo Cristiani was elected president. The results marked a severe repudiation of Duarte's inability to end the war. Cristiani, a coffee grower, initiated talks with the FMLN but insisted on their total surrender. Talks soon broke off. | 3 |
| |
| Oct. 31 |
| |
| The National Federation of Salvadoran Workers (FENESTRAS) headquarters was bombed, leaving ten dead. Among those killed was FENESTRAS president Elizabeth Velásquez. The FMLN broke off talks two days later. | 4 |
| |
| Nov. 11 |
| |
| The FMLN launched its largest offensive since 1981, aimed mainly at working-class neighborhoods in the cities. Rebel troops held parts of San Salvador for two weeks before withdrawing. | 5 |
| |
| Nov. 16 |
| |
| Six Jesuit priests and two female employees were murdered by a military death squad. The Salvadoran government was condemned internationally for the murders. | 6 |
| |
| |
