water privatization

In 1993 the municipal government began considering contracting out water and sewage services to a private company. Soon after, in 1996 and 1997, the municipality began to receive loans from the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank, aid that provided crucial funds for improvements, but which also required privatization to take place as soon as possible. International Water Services, a subsidiary of Bechtel, won the concession in 2000 as the only bidding company. The services were transferred to Bechtel’s newly incorporated subsidiary, Interagua, in 2001.

October 6–13 is an international week of solidarity to demand that "terrorism" charges against Salvadoran protesters be dropped. On July 2, fourteen people were arrested in Suchitoto, El Salvador for taking part in a protest against water privatization. Police brutality against the peaceful demonstration produced international outrage, and ultimately this pressure forced the Salvadoran government to temporarily release the detainees. Nevertheless, protesters continue to be charged under “anti-terrorism” law and could face up to 60 years in prison. This draconian law criminalizing public protest as acts of terrorism is being used to silence the social movement in El Salvador.