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 El Salvador |  Spain |
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El Salvador and Spain have long-standing cultural and diplomatic relations, owing to the history of the Spanish Empire. Bilateral relations between the two as sovereign states began in 1865. Both nations are members of the Association of Academies of the Spanish Language, Organization of Ibero-American States and the United Nations.
The first known visit by Spaniards to what is now Salvadoran territory was made by the admiral Andrés Niño, who led an expedition to Central America. He disembarked in the Gulf of Fonseca on 31 May 1522, at Meanguera island, naming it Petronila, [1] and then traversed to Jiquilisco Bay on the mouth of Lempa River. The first indigenous people to have contact with the Spanish were the Lenca of eastern El Salvador.
In 1524, Spanish explorer and conquistador Pedro de Alvarado launched a campaign against the Pipil people, the native inhabitants of Cuzcatlán (present day El Salvador). By 1528, Spanish troops defeated the Pipil warriors and established a permanent presence in present-day San Salvador. [2]
After the conquest, the territory of El Salvador officially became part of the Spanish Empire and governed from the Viceroyalty of New Spain in Mexico City but administered by the regional capital in Guatemala City. Under the Spanish Empire, the territory of El Salvador became an agricultural heartland of the captaincy general of Guatemala. Most of the land produced cocoa, coffee and indigo. [2]
In November 1811, independence movement leaders José Matías Delgado, a Catholic priest, and his nephew, Manuel José Arce issued a call for independence from Spain. Due to the movement, several uprisings took place throughout the territory, which were quickly suppressed by the Spanish authorities. [2] In 1821, the call for independence was endorsed by officials in Guatemala, however, El Salvador was opposed to its territory being incorporated into the Mexican Empire under Emperor Agustín de Iturbide. Because of this issue, El Salvador was seeking to be annexed by the United States when in 1823, the Mexican Empire collapsed and El Salvador joined Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and Nicaragua in the joint United Provinces of Central America. The union was dissolved in 1839. [2]
On 24 June 1865, El Salvador and Spain established diplomatic relations and signed a Treaty of Peace and Friendship. [3] Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, bilateral relations between both nations have been limited. In 1936, El Salvador, under General Maximiliano Hernández Martínez, recognized the government of General Francisco Franco. [4] In 1977, Spanish King Juan Carlos I paid an official visit to El Salvador. [5]
During the Salvadoran Civil War from 1979 – 1992, Spain paid an active role in trying to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict between the government and the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN). In November 1989, five Spanish priests were assassinated at the Central American University by Salvadoran soldiers. [6] In 1992, representatives of the Salvadoran government and the FMLN signed the Chapultepec Peace Accords in Mexico City and was presided by representatives of the Spanish government. [7]
In 2007, Spanish King Juan Carlos I paid a second visit to El Salvador. [8] The King returned again in 2008, accompanied by Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero to attend the Ibero-American Summit being held in San Salvador. In 2010, Spanish airline Iberia launched direct flights from Madrid to San Salvador. [9]
Over the years, both El Salvador and Spain have signed numerous bilateral agreements and treaties such as: Treaty on consular protection (1953); Agreement on visa waiver for nationals of both nations (1959); Scientific and technical cooperation agreement (1988); Agreement on the promotion and protection of investments (1996); Extradition treaty (1997); Air transportation agreement (1997); and an Agreement on the avoidance of double taxation (2008). [10]
There are direct flights between both nations with Iberia.
In 2018, trade between El Salvador and Spain totaled US$306 million. [10] El Salvador's main exports to Spain include: coffee and tuna. Spain's main exports to El Salvador include: machinery, chemicals, plastics, drugs, electrical appliances and iron and steel foundry; food, cars and cosmetics. [10] Spain is El Salvador's eleventh biggest trading partner globally and sixth biggest foreign investor. [10] Spanish multinational companies such as Mapfre, Telefónica and Zara operate in El Salvador.
Diplomatic relations between the Argentine Republic and the Republic of El Salvador have existed for over a century. Both nations are members of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Group of 77, Organization of American States, Organization of Ibero-American States and the United Nations.
Chile–Spain relations are the current and historical relations between Chile and Spain. Both nations are members of the Association of Spanish Language Academies, Organization of Ibero-American States, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations.
Andorra and Spain are members of the Council of Europe, Organization of Ibero-American States and the United Nations.
Guatemala and Mexico are neighboring nations who established diplomatic relations in 1848. In January 1959 both nations broke diplomatic relations as a result of the Mexico–Guatemala conflict, however, diplomatic relations were re-established 8 months later in September of that same year. Since then diplomatic relations have continued unabated since. Diplomatic relations between both nations are based on close proximity, trade, cultural similarities and a shared history.
El Salvador and Uruguay share a common history in the fact that both nations were once part of the Spanish Empire. Formal diplomatic relations were established in 1929. Both nations are members of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Group of 77, Organization of American States, Organization of Ibero-American States and the United Nations.
Cuba–Spain relations are the bilateral relations between the Republic of Cuba and the Kingdom of Spain. Relations date back more than five centuries. Cuba had been a colony from 1492 until 1898 when the United States took over the territory in the Spanish–American War. Many Cubans have ancestry dating back from Spain. Many Spaniards escaped the first Spanish Civil War and went to Cuba, and other countries, around 1820–1825.
Colombian-Spain relations are the bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Spain and the Republic of Colombia, formally established in 1881, several decades after Colombia's independence from the Spanish Empire. Both nations are members of the Organization of Ibero-American States and the United Nations.
The nations of El Salvador and Mexico established diplomatic relations in 1838. Both nations are members of the Association of Caribbean States, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Organization of American States, Organization of Ibero-American States and the United Nations.
The nations of Honduras and Mexico established diplomatic relations in 1879. Both nations are members of the Association of Caribbean States, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Organization of American States, Organization of Ibero-American States and the United Nations.
The nations of Mexico and Nicaragua established diplomatic relations in 1839, however, relations were briefly severed in May 1979 and restored a few months later in July 1979 with the ousting of Nicaraguan President Anastasio Somoza Debayle. Diplomatic relations between both nations have continued unabated since.
The nations of Costa Rica and Mexico established diplomatic relations 1838. Both nations are members of the Association of Caribbean States, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Organization of American States, Organization of Ibero-American States and the United Nations.
Relations between Guatemala and Spain date back to 1524, when the modern territory was invaded and conquered by the Spanish. Guatemala achieved its independence in 1821 and established diplomatic relations with Spain in 1863. Both nations are members of the Organization of Ibero-American States and the United Nations.
Costa Rica–Spain relations are the diplomatic relations between Costa Rica and Spain. Both nations are members of the Association of Academies of the Spanish Language and the Organization of Ibero-American States.
The relationship between Honduras and Spain dates back to the Spanish colonizarion of the Americas. Today, both nations are members of the Association of Academies of the Spanish Language and the Organization of Ibero-American States.
Nicaragua–Spain relations are the diplomatic relations between Nicaragua and Spain. Both nations are members of the Association of Academies of the Spanish Language and the Organization of Ibero-American States.
Panama–Spain relations are the diplomatic relations between Panama and Spain. Both nations are members of the Association of Academies of the Spanish Language and the Organization of Ibero-American States.
Diplomatic relations between Canada and El Salvador were established in 1961. Both nations are members of the Organization of American States and the United Nations.
El Salvador and Peru share a common history in the fact that both nations were once part of the Spanish Empire. Formal diplomatic relations were established in 1857. Both nations are members of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Group of 77, Organization of American States, Organization of Ibero-American States and the United Nations.
El Salvador and France have maintained diplomatic relations since 1858. The two nations maintain a close dialogue on Central American regional integration, democratic security, good governance, the rule of law, as well as development aid, among other issues. Both are also members of the United Nations.
Current and historical relations exist between the Commonwealth of Australia and the Republic of El Salvador. Both nations enjoy friendly relations, the importance of which centers on the arrival of Salvadoran refugees to Australia during the Salvadoran Civil War. There is a community of approximately 20,000 people of Salvadoran origin in Australia. Australia is home to the third largest Salvadoran community living abroad. Both nations are members of the Forum of East Asia–Latin America Cooperation and the United Nations.
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