On June 1, Mauricio Funes swore the oath of office as the new President of El Salvador, opening a new era of peace and reconciliation. A journalist who used the power of his pen to fight the military government and its death squads during the brutal civil war, President Funes' presidency brings a historic close to 130 years of oligarchy and military rule in El Salvador.

The FMLN, persecuted by the military regime in El Salvador and demonized by the U.S. Government under Ronald Reagan, are now yesterday's enemies. With a new, soon-to-be released film, Guazapa: Yesterday's Enemies, Peace International and award-winning film-maker Don North make a return visit to Guazapa, a stronghold of the FMLN and one of the bloodiest battlegrounds of the civil war. An estimated 40,000 tons of bombs, including napalm and white phosphorous, were dropped on Guazapa, killing or wounding thousands of civilians, and scarring the society, the economy and the volcanic mountain that gives the region its name. Guazapa remains for many a symbol of the war.

Peace International President Francisco Acosta explains: "As my home, Guazapa was a symbol of war. It should now become a symbol of peace and reconciliation."

Peace International seeks to foster this renewal, beginning with the release of the film Guazapa: Yesterday's Enemies.

In order to complete production of this important film for release, to coincide with the dawn of the Funes Administration, an additional $10,000 is urgently needed. We ask you to please donate whatever you can, and help celebrate the rebirth of hope and change in El Salvador. Thank you!