The alleged dismissal of health workers who participated in a so-called “White March” several days ago triggered the decision by that union, teachers and other unions and non-governmental organizations to speak out this Saturday against the cuts.

The Popular Resistance and Rebellion Block is among those calling for the sit-in in which teachers, women, health personnel, university students, among others, will demand an alternative budget that responds to the needs of the population.

Likewise, human rights groups that are claiming for justice for the victims of war, such as the Herbert Anaya organization, will also join the demonstration along with the Committee of Relatives of Political Prisoners and Persecuted in El Salvador (Cofappes).

According to the economist and independent consultant Cesar Villalona, the march opposes the health budget, more inadequate than the education budget. “They have cut funds for 30 public hospitals and when you add it up, you find there are 54 million less for the hospitals and, coincidentally, there are 53 million more for the Armed Forces,” he said.

“It is outrageous from the human and technical point of view. Sixteen of these hospitals have been allocated less than 10 million dollars. They actually get somewhere around seven, eight, four, three, and there is a pet hospital that will be allotted 10 million dollars,” he said.

I have nothing against animals, he declared, but how on earth can you give 10 million to an animal care center and seven to a public hospital in the department of San Miguel.

The march will leave at 08:00 in the morning (local time) from Plaza Salvador del Mundo, raising plenty of demands to the Bukele administration despite his current level of popularity, now likely to be challenged by a society facing impoverishment and loss of quality of life, especially in the education and health sectors.

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