Interview with Robert "Bob" James, November 3, 2022

Interview Summary

Robert James served as a married Peace Corps Volunteer in El Salvador in a community development program from 1976-78. He discusses being recruited by a friend, and praises in-country training and his host family. He discusses the disputed presidential election of 1977 and ensuing inter-military violence that took place throughout the country and the US embassy downplaying this violence. He discusses subsequent lack of El Salvadorian government support for the community development project he was working on under the Ministry of Interior and his moving to rural Osicala where he taught women’s nutrition and English and started a gardening program. He talks about encountering continued military violence, including the murder of his neighbor, and draws lessons for current threats to democracy. He talks about almost being imprisoned in Honduras. He concludes that he was more impact by people’s severe poverty and that all peoples share the same goals for their families.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (US) El Salvador (Country of Service) community development (Peace Corps program)1976-78 (years of service) disputed presidential election of 1977 between UNO candidate Ernesto Antonio Claramont Roseville and PCN candidate Gen. Carlos Humbertyo Romero Mena. Romero Mena was declared to have won, but according to witnesses, Claramont Roseville actually won with 75% of the vote. (historical context) American foreign policy (historical context) San Pedro Sula (Honduran city). 1976-78 (years of service)

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