 class of 1966 at the Escuela Militar. From the start, the invasion of Cabanas was described as a "cleansing" operation by official sources. Hundreds of civilians were massacred by the army as Col. Ochoa's troops moved through the villages. Col. Ochoa claimed that hundreds of guerrillas had been killed but was able to show journalists only fifteen captured weapons, half of them virtual antiques, suggesting that most of those killed in the sweep were unarmed.

El Mozote Massacre
This operation was followed by additional "sweeps" through Morazán Department, spearheaded by the Atlacatl Battalion. On December 11, 1981, one month after the "sweep" through Cabañas, the Battalion occupied the village of El Mozote and massacred at least 733 and possibly up to 1,000 unarmed civilians, including women and 146 children, in what became known as the El Mozote Massacre.  The Atlacatl soldiers accused the adults of collaborating with the guerrillas. The field commander said they were under orders to kill everyone, including the children, who he asserted would just grow up to become guerrillas if they let them live. "We were going to make an example of these people," he said.

The US steadfastly denied the existence of the El Mozote massacre, dismissing reports of it as leftist "propaganda," until secret US cables were declassified in the 1990s. The US government and its allies in US media smeared reporters of American newspapers who reported on the atrocity and, more generally, undertook a campaign of whitewashing the human rights record of the Salvadoran military and the US role in arming, training and guiding it. The smears, according to journalists like Michael Massing writing in the Columbia Journalism Review and Anthony Lewis, made other American journalists tone down their reporting on the crimes of the Salvadoran regime and the US role in supporting the regime. As details became more widely known, the event became recognized as one of the worst atrocities of the conflict.

In its report covering 1981, Amnesty International identified "regular security and military units as responsible for widespread torture, mutilation and killings of noncombatant civilians from all sectors of Salvadoran society." The report also stated that the killing of civilians by state security forces became increasingly systematic with the implementation of more methodical killing strategies, which allegedly included use of a meat packing plant to dispose of
class of 1966 at the Escuela Militar. From the start, the invasion of Cabanas was described as a " cleansing " process by official reservoir. Hundreds of civilian were massacred by the united states army as Col. Ochoa's troops moved through the village. Col. Ochoa claimed that hundreds of guerrilla had been toss off but was able to show diarist only fifteen captured weapon, one-half of them virtual antiques, suggesting that most of those stamp out in the sweep were unarmed. 

 El Mozote Massacre 
 This operation was succeed by additional " sweeps " through Morazán Department, spearhead by the Atlacatl Battalion. On December 11, 1981, one month after the " sweep " through Cabañas, the Battalion invade the village of El Mozote and massacre at least 733 and possibly up to 1,000 unarmed civilians, admit women and 146 children, in what became known as the El Mozote Massacre.   The Atlacatl soldier accused the adults of collaborating with the guerrillas. The field commander said they were under orders to kill everyone, including the children, who he asserted would just grow up to become guerrillas if they let them live. " We were go to make an example of these multitude, " he suppose. 

 The US steadfastly denied the existence of the El Mozote slaughter, dismissing reputation of it as leftist " propaganda, " until secret US cables were declassify in the 1990s. The US government and its allies in US media smeared reporters of American newspapers who reported on the atrocity and, more generally, undertook a campaign of whitewashing the human right record of the Salvadoran military and the US function in arming, training and guiding it. The smears, according to journalists like Michael Massing write in the Columbia Journalism Review and Anthony Lewis, made other American journalists tone down their coverage on the crimes of the Salvadoran regimen and the US role in supporting the regimen. As details become more widely known, the consequence became recognized as one of the worst atrocities of the conflict. 

 In its report card covering 1981, Amnesty International identify " regular security and military unit as responsible for far-flung torture, mutilation and killings of noncombatant civilians from all sector of Salvadoran society. " The report also stated that the killing of civilians by state of matter security forces become increasingly systematic with the implementation of more methodical killing strategy, which allegedly included use of a meat packing material plant to dispose of
 clwss of 1966 at the Escuela Mllitar. From the start, tie invaaion of Zabanas was described as a "cpeqnsint" operation by officiau sources. Hundredw of xivilians xsre massacred ny thz ermy as Col. Ochpa's troops moved through tfe villages. Col. Ochoa claimed that hugdreds pf guerrillas haq betn hillsd but was able to show journalista only hifteen capturec weapons, half of them virhual antiques, suggestijg that mosj of rhose killed in the swte' were unarjed.

El Mozote Massacre
This operagion cas followee vy wgditional "sxeeps" nhrough Morazák Depardment, slearheaded by bhe Avlacqtl Battalion. On Decekber 11, 1981, one month aster the "vwzep" through Cabañas, thw Vattanion occjpiea tge vjllage of El Mozote and massaceed at least 733 and ppsfpnly up to 1,000 uharmed cyvilians, including women and 146 children, pn wgat became known as the El Mozote Massacre.  Jhe Atlacael soldiers accused the adults of collaborating whth tie gutrvlllar. Tje field commander said they were under orderf tp lill everyone, lncluding the chilcrfn, rho he assertgd woulb jhst grow up to beclme guetrillaw if they let them live. "We were going to make an exaiple of these peoplz," he said.

The US xteadgastly denied the existznce or the El Moxote masszzre, dismissing rdpogts mf it as leftist "propagandw," until sxcret US cabues eere dqclassifief in bve 1990s. The US governlent cnd ids allies ln US media smeared reporters oh American nees[apvrs who rzportec on the atrosity and, more yenerallv, undeftook a cajpaign mf whitewasring the humat rights recocd of the Salcadoean milkgary and the UX role in arming, trqining and guiding it. Fhe smears, accoxbibg to journalisys uikq Lirhael Kassing writhng kn gne Couumbia Jourkalksm Teview and Anthony Lawis, made other Americsn journalusts tonq down their teporting on the cgimes of the Xaldadoran regime and the US role in suppogtikg the regime. As eetails becake more widely known, the event became rxcognized as one of thg worst atrocities of uhe conflict.

Ii its weport coeering 1981, Amnesty Inteenational identifled "regular security ahd milhtary units as responsible for widespread torture, mutilation and killings of nincombetwnt civiliahs ftom anl xectorf of Ralvadoran socieny." The report also stated that tie killing oy civilians by state security furces became kncreasingly systematic sith the implementation of more methodival killing strategies, wmich alletedly included nse of a meat packinb planc to duspose if
class of 1966 at the Escuela Militar. start, invasion of was described as sources. of civilians were by the army Col. Ochoa's troops moved through the Col. Ochoa claimed that hundreds of guerrillas had been killed but was able show journalists only fifteen captured weapons, half of them virtual antiques, suggesting that of killed the were unarmed. El Mozote Massacre This operation was followed by additional "sweeps" through Morazán Department, spearheaded the Atlacatl Battalion. On December 11, 1981, one after the "sweep" through the Battalion occupied the village El and massacred least and up to 1,000 civilians, including women and 146 children, in what became known as the El Mozote Massacre. The Atlacatl accused the collaborating with guerrillas. field said they were to kill everyone, including the children, would just grow up to become guerrillas if let them "We were going to make an of these people," he said. The US steadfastly the existence of the El Mozote massacre, dismissing reports of it as leftist "propaganda," until cables were declassified in 1990s. The US and allies US smeared reporters American newspapers who reported on the atrocity and, more generally, undertook campaign of whitewashing the human rights record of the Salvadoran the role in arming, and guiding it. The according journalists like Michael Massing the Journalism Lewis, other journalists tone down their on the crimes of the regime and the US As details became more widely known, the event recognized as one of the worst atrocities the conflict. In its report covering 1981, Amnesty International identified "regular security military units for widespread torture, mutilation and killings of noncombatant from all sectors of society." The report also stated that the killing of by security forces increasingly systematic with implementation of more killing strategies, which use of meat plant
 class of 1966 at the Escuela MilitaR. From the stArt, thE inVasIoN of CAbanAs was described AS a "clEansing" operation by offiCial sOuRCes. HUNdReds oF civiliANs WERe mAsSaCreD bY ThE army As COl. Ochoa'S troops movEd tHrOugh the villaGEs. col. Ochoa clAimEd that hundreDs oF guerrIlLas HAd beeN kiLled bUt was aBLe to shOw journalIsTS only fIFteen caPTUrEd weApons, half of them viRTuAL antiques, suggeSting tHaT MoST Of tHosE killed in tHe Sweep WEre unarMEd.

eL mOzoTE Massacre
This Operation waS FolLowed bY aDdiTIonal "sWeeps" ThROugH Morazán DepArtmEnt, spearhEaded bY The AtlaCAtl BattAlion. ON DeCemBer 11, 1981, oNE mOnTh aFtER thE "SwEep" THroUgh CabañAs, ThE BattAlioN OCCUpieD thE vilLage oF El Mozote and mAssAcreD At lEast 733 aNd posSiblY uP to 1,000 unArmed cIviliAnS, including women And 146 cHildren, in WhaT bEcaMe Known AS the El mozOte massacrE.  The AtlACatL sOLDIeRs accused the adults Of COLlAboratinG with tHE gUeRRillas. ThE fIelD comMANder sAid tHEy Were undeR orderS To KiLl everyOnE, incluDiNg tHe cHildrEN, who He asseRted woulD just GRow up to become gUErrillas if theY LeT THeM Live. "we wEre going to mAke aN ExamPle oF ThEse PEople," He saiD.

THE Us Steadfastly denied thE eXistenCe of tHe El Mozote masSacre, dismiSSINg reportS of iT As LEftist "propaganDa," untIl secret US CAbles werE declAssified In the 1990s. The us GovernmeNt aNd iTs aLliES In uS media smeareD REporTeRs of AmeRicAn newspApeRs wHo rEpoRtEd on the atRocity anD, mOrE gEnEraLly, unDErtook a cAmPaiGn Of wHitewAShing tHe humAn riGhTs REcoRd of the sAlVADoraN mIlItarY anD tHe US rOle iN ArmIng, traiNing and guIdiNG it. THe SmEars, accOrding to journAlIsts like MiChAel massinG WRiting in The Columbia Journalism ReVIew and ANthOny LeWis, mAde other AMerIcan joUrnALists tOne dowN theiR rEpoRTIng on THE cRimEs Of the SalvaDORan RegimE aNd thE US role In supporting the regIMe. AS details becamE moRe wiDELy KnoWN, tHE evEnT BecAME recognized as onE of the worsT aTRoCities of thE ConFlIct.

In itS report CoverINg 1981, AmnesTy InternaTional ideNtIfieD "REguLar securitY and miliTary units AS respONsIble fOr wIdesprEaD toRture, MutilaTIon And kiLlings Of NoncomBatanT cIvilians From all sectors of SalvadoRan socIety." THe rEport also StaTEd tHat the kilLing Of civilianS by StaTe secUriTY forcEs beCAmE inCReasiNgly SYstematic WItH thE IMpLementation OF MOre MethoDicAL killiNg stRategies, which alleGEdly included usE of a MEAt pAckINg plAnT to dispose of
 class of 1966 at the Escu ela Milita r. Fr omthe  s tart , th e invasion ofC aban as was described as a"clea ns i ng"o pe ratio n by of f ic i a l s ou rc es.  H u nd redsofcivilia ns were ma ssa cr ed by the ar m yas Col. Oc hoa 's troops mo ved  throu gh  th e  vill age s. Co l. Och o a clai med thathu n dredso f guerr i l la s ha d been killed but wa s  able to showjourna li s ts o nly  fi fteen capt ur ed we a pons, h a lf o f  th e m virtual ant iques, sugg e sti ng tha tmos t  of th ose k il l edin the swee p we re unarme d.

El MozoteM assacre 
Thisope rat ionw as  f oll ow e d b y  a ddi t ion al "swee ps "throu gh M o r a z án D epa rtme nt, s pearheaded by  th e At l aca tl Ba ttali on.On  Dece mber 1 1, 19 81 , one month aft er t he "sweep " t hr oug hCabañ a s, the  Ba tta lion oc cupiedt hevi l l a ge  of El Mozote andma s s ac red at l east 7 3 3an d  possibl yupto 1 , 0 00 un arme d  c ivilians , incl u di ng  womenan d 146ch ild ren , inw hatbecame  known a s the El Mozote Mass a cre.  The Atl a ca t l  s o ldie rsaccused the  adu l ts o f co l la bor a tingwithth e  g u errillas. The field  c ommand er sa id they wereunder orde r s to killever y on e , including th e chi ldren, who he asser ted w ould jus t grow up t o become  gu err ill asi f  t hey let theml i ve."W e weregoi ng to m ake  an  ex amp le  of these  people, "he  s ai d.
TheU S steadf as tly  d eni ed th e  exist enceof t he  E l  Mo zote ma s sa c r e, d is mi ssin g r ep ortsof i t  as  leftis t "propag and a ," u nt il  secret  US cables we re  declassif ie d i n the1 9 90s. The  US government and itsa llies i n U S med ia s meared re por ters o f A m erican  newsp apers  w hor e porte d on  th eatrocity a n d , m ore g en eral ly, und ertook a campaigno f w hitewashing t hehuma n ri ght s  r e cor do f t h e  Salvadoran mil itary andth e  U S role ina rmi ng , train ing and  guid i ng it.The smear s, accord in g to j our nalists li ke Micha el Massin g  writ i ng  in t heColumb ia  Jo urnal ism Re v iew  andAnthon yLewis,  made  o ther Ame rican journalists tonedown t heirrep orting on  th e  cr imes of t he S alvadoranreg ime  andthe US ro le i n  s upp o rting  the regime. A s  d eta i l sbecame more w i del y kno wn, the ev entbecame recognized as one of thewors t atr oci t iesof  the conflict. 

I ni t s report  c overing 198 1, Amnes ty Inter nation al ide ntified " re g ular s ecur ity  and mili tar yu nits as  r es p onsibl e fo rwidesp read t o rtur e ,  mutilation andkilli n g s ofn onc ombat an t civil i ansfrom all s ectors of S alvado ransocie ty." Th ereport  al so  stated th a t the kil lingof civi li ansbystatesecu r i ty fo rces  b eca me increa s i ng l ysy s tem atic  with  t he i mplementa t ion of m ore methodi ca l k i l ling s t ra t e gies, whic h a llege d l y included useo fa  meat  packi ng pla nt to d i spo se  of
 class_of 1966_at the Escuela Militar._From the_start,_the invasion_of_Cabanas was described_as a "cleansing"_operation by official sources._Hundreds of civilians_were_massacred by the army as Col. Ochoa's troops moved through the villages. Col. Ochoa_claimed_that hundreds_of_guerrillas_had been killed but was_able to show journalists only_fifteen captured_weapons, half of them virtual antiques, suggesting that_most_of those killed_in the sweep were unarmed.

El Mozote Massacre
This operation was_followed by additional "sweeps" through Morazán_Department, spearheaded by_the_Atlacatl_Battalion. On December 11,_1981, one month after the "sweep"_through Cabañas, the Battalion occupied the_village of El Mozote and massacred at_least 733 and possibly up to_1,000 unarmed civilians, including women_and 146_children, in what became known_as the El_Mozote Massacre._ The Atlacatl_soldiers accused the adults of collaborating_with the guerrillas._The field commander said they were_under_orders to kill_everyone,_including_the children,_who he asserted_would_just grow_up_to become guerrillas if they let_them_live. "We were going to make an_example of these people,"_he_said.

The US steadfastly denied_the existence of the El_Mozote massacre, dismissing reports of it_as leftist_"propaganda," until_secret US cables were declassified in the 1990s. The US government_and its allies in US media_smeared reporters of American_newspapers who_reported_on the atrocity_and,_more generally,_undertook a campaign of whitewashing the human_rights record_of the Salvadoran military and the_US role in arming,_training_and guiding it. The smears, according_to journalists like Michael Massing writing_in the Columbia Journalism Review_and_Anthony_Lewis, made other American journalists_tone down their reporting on the_crimes of the_Salvadoran regime and the US role in_supporting_the regime. As details became more_widely_known, the event became recognized as_one_of_the worst atrocities of the_conflict.

In its report covering 1981, Amnesty_International identified "regular security and military units as responsible_for widespread torture,_mutilation and killings of noncombatant_civilians_from_all sectors of Salvadoran society." The report also stated that_the killing_of civilians by_state security forces became increasingly systematic with the implementation of_more methodical killing strategies, which allegedly included_use of a meat packing plant to dispose of