EL SALVADOR: EVALUATION OF GOVERNMENT MILITARY OPERATIONS IN THE GUAZAPA VOLCANO AREA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84T00896R000200050002-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 21, 2009
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: November 1, 1983
• Content Type: REPORT

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Directorate of
Secret
Intelligence
Government Military
Operations in the
Guazapa Volcano Area
El Salvador: Evaluation of
NGA Review Complete
Secret
IA 83-10120
November 1983
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El Salvador: Evaluation of Government
Military Operations in the Guazapa
Volcano Area
Summary
the Guazapa Volcano area of El Salvador
ate August 1983, the El Salvadoran a
d
rme
orces had successfully driven most of the insur
ents
t
f
g
ou
o
their previously secure base area. All of the insurgent camps
and defensive positions within this area have been abandoned or
are occupied by government troops.
It appears that the present government commander of the Guazapa
area, Col. Blandon, will continue to keep pressure on the insur-
gents and prevent them from reestablishing a major base in this
area. The insurgents will, however, probably be able to continue
to maintain a presence in the Guazapa area by using small, more
mobile units to conduct ambushes and other operations.
Information available as of 8 September 1983 was used in this
revpor~
to t e Chief. Third world Forces Division,
The author of this paper is Office of Imagery
Analysis. Comments and queries are welcome and may be direted
h
Secret
1A 83-10120
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areas.
Since at least early 1981 until February 1983, insurgents con-
trolled a base area near the Guazapa Volcano in north-central El
Salvador. As of January 1983, this base area occupied about 130
square kilometers (figure 1). The insurgents used this strategic
base for launching operations, troop housing and training,
storing arms and other supplies, raising food, and as a safe
haven for insurgents escaping from government operations in other
25X1 The Guazapa base area contained at least five major insurgent
base camps and seven other major defensive areas (tables 1 and
2). Small camps for mobile units probably also existed
25X1 The insurgents con-
tions that controlled the roads and trails near each base camp.
major roads leading into the area and by manning defensive posi-
trolled access to the base area by digging trenches across the 25X1
armed
combatants from the five factions of the Farabundo Marti National
Liberation Front (FMLN) were based in the Guazapa base area prior
to February 1983. [Reference 1] About 700 of these were from
the Armed Forces of National Resistance (FARN), and there were
about 200 each from the Popular Liberation Forces (FPL), the
Peoples Revolutionary Army (ERP), the Armed Forces of Liberation
(FAL), and the Central American Workers Revolutionary Party
(PRTC). The actual number of combatants in the area probably
fluctuated considerably depending on the level of military activ-
ity in other parts of the country--decreasing when insurgents
from Guazapa supported operations in other areas, and increasing
when government operations forced insurgents from other areas to
seek safety there.
The El Salvadoran armed forces (ESAF) have maintained pressure on
the insurgents in the Guazapa Volcano area with near-continuous
operations since late February 1983. This continous application
Secret
IA 83-10120
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Figure 1
Guazapa Volcano Base Area, (oscxtcan Department, San Salvador
U /l ~! Ht ~f l rta8abare
o ,,t
0121 vytf
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25X1
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of offensive pressure contrasts with previous practices.' As of 25X1
late August these operations had been successful in kee in the
insurgents off balance. the
insurgents have been gradually driven out of their Guazapa base
area and, as of late June, were moving generally east of the base
area. [2] This has reduced the immediate threat of attack on the
capital of San Salvador, which is about 25 kilometers south of
the Guazapa area. There is no evidence that the insurgents have
established permanent base c s to replace those abandoned in
the Guazapa base area. am 25X1
During the period of August 1982 to February 1983, there was only
one significant government operation in the Guazapa area. That
operation, conducted by the Ramon Belloso Battalion on the east
slopes of the Guazapa Volcano, was successful in making contact
with the insurgents, but it failed to produce any lasting
results. Beginning in late February 1983, ESAF units, including
the First Brigade and the Atlacatl Immediate Reaction Battalion,
conducted a series of operations--Operation "Guazapa X" in late
February; a series of three smaller operations called "Salitre"
in April, may, and early June; and another large operation called
"Guazapa XI" in July. Since July the ESAF has launched at least
two other operations against the insurgents--one on the southern
edge of the base area, and another to the east of the base area. 25X1
These operations were conducted in the areas where two new insur-
gent camps had been established between mid-April
(table
they were dismantled during the operations. Apparently the
insurgents had received advance warning of the operations from
members of the International Red Cross and relocated to
Chalatenango and San Vicente Departments to avoid contact. [4]
As of late August 1983, government forces occupied the former
insurgent defensive positions at Cerro Pena Colorada and Cerro
Los Ganchos. They also continue to maintain a force at a govern-
when a military operation has been completed.
'One of the major reasons for the recent ESAF success in the
Guazapa area apparently has been the leadership of Col.
Blandon. Since becoming commander of the First Infantry Brigade
in late 1982, Col. Blandon has shown no signs of backing off from
the aggressive tactics he has used in the Guazapa area. Blandon
does not appear to be satisfied with driving the insurgents out
of their base areas, and he has not removed the government forces
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ment base at El Roblar. These positions are strategically lo-
cated overlooking many important areas, including the major
north-south and east-west roads and five abandoned insurgent
camps. The ESAF should be able to prevent the insurgents from
reestablishing this base area by maintaining these positions and
patrolling the surrounding countryside. The First Brigade has
left a permanent force of two companies in the vicinity of
Tenancingo. and a force of three companies on the Guazapa Volcano.
These troops are to carry out pacification efforts in the area
and provide security for the local populace.
Although the insurgent base camps have been neutralized and the
ESAF has garrisoned troops in the Guazapa area, the insurgents
probably will still be able to maintain a presence of small,
mobile units. These units probably will conduct ambushes and
other limited operations against the ESAF and against vulnerable
economic targets, such as bridges. The Guazapa area can be paci-
fied only after the campesinos, who were driven out by the insur-
gents, return to their homes and the ESAF gains their trust and
confidence.
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Table 1
Abandoned Insurgent Camps In and Near the Guazapa Volcano Base Area
Name Remarks
Mirandilla Established prior to mid-January
G 13-55-30N 89-06-15W 1982. It consisted of 11 buildings,
five defensive trenches, six foxholes,
and four observation posts.
La Presa Established prior to February 1982.
13-55-20N 89-03-35W It consisted of a housing area,
and at least one ' de
El Platanar Established prior to February 1982. It
13-56-25N 89-03-45W consisted of a housing area,
and two defensive trenches.
Concepcion Chaparral Established prior to February 1982. it
13-57-OON 89-03-05W consisted of a housing area and at least
two defensive trenches.
13-55-40N 89-04-20W consisted of a housing area
Palo Grande Established prior to September 1982. It
Tenango' Established between mid-April and late
13-51-55N 89-00-45W July 1983. It consisted of one defen-
sive trench, 15 foxholes, one bunk
and a housing area. This camp was
dismantled
by government troops in late August
1983.
Los Lirios' Established between mid-April and late
13-52-20N 89-06-50W July 1983.
25X1 Thi
s camp wasl
dismantled by government
LOAI troops in late August 1983.
'Camps that were established
outside the base area after the
government operations began.
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Table 2
Area of Defensive Positions in the Guazapa Volcano Base Area
Name Remarks
Cerro Los Ganchos Established prior to February 1982. It
13-54-45N 89-06-20W consisted of two defensive trenches and
two observation posts. As of late Aug-
ust 1983, it was occupied by government
troops.
Cerro Pena Colorada Established prior to February 1982. It
13-53-40N 89-05-30W consisted of three defensive trenches
and one observation post. As of late
August 1983, it was occupied by govern-
ment troops.
Los Gramales Established prior to February 1982. It
13-55-OON 89-04-OOW consisted of at least two defensive
positions. As of late August 1983, it
was abandoned.
Hacienda Seretal Established prior to February 1982. It
13-58-OON 89-03-OOW consisted of one defensive trench and
one foxhole. As of late August 1983, it
was abandoned.
Hacienda El Bario Established prior to April 1983. It
13-57-20N 89-03-1OW consisted of at least one defensive
position. As of late August 1983, it
was abandoned.
Consolacion Established prior to February 1982. It
13-59-OON 89-05-OOW consisted of one defensive trench and
two foxholes. As of late August 1983,
it was abandoned.
Buena Vista Established prior to September 1982. It
13-56-25N 89-07-OOW consisted of three defensive positions.
As of late August 1983, it was aban-
doned.
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