Historic Narratives of CDS.
We remember that 6 years ago CDS Doctor Carlos Hernández Reyes, passed away after doing a night shift at the CDS walk in clinic. He was struck on his motorcycle on his way back home. Carlos trained many comandos in basic suturing techniques including me between 1999 and 2002 while living at the Central Base. May his memory remain. Guardian Angel Dr. Carlos
Mark Hoffman
This last Sunday April 10th, 14 year old volunteer Erick Beltrán was murdered while on shift at the Quetzaltepeque base of Comandos de Salvamento. Below is a formal response from the CDS Board of Directors.
Press Release:
The Board of Directors and Executive Management of Comandos de Salvamento significantly mourns death of young 14yo volunteer Erick Beltran due to an incident that occurred on Sunday April 10, within the premises of the CDS Quezaltepeque Delegation.
The murder is an attack on the neutral voluntary work of the Comandos de Salvamento whose mission is “to rescue the lives of people, when in danger from causes of nature or of man ”
CDS leadership calls for groups involved with violent activities to respect the humanitarian work of Comandos de Salvamento and other EMS agencies.
CDS work under the principle of being a neutral impartial and independent institution. We have a great commitment to the Salvadoran people suffering from the effects of violence, and we continue working to bring relief to those in need.
We offer our sincere condolences to the family of first responder Erick Beltrán and we join in solidarity with the local branch of Quezaltepeque which has more than 20 years serving the community of northern San Salvador.
God, Courage, Loyalty
For Security and for Safety
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CDS would like to take the time and ask all to remember the terrorist attack in Mejicanos two years ago today when a bus from route 47 was taken hostage by gang members and driven to an isolated street where the victims were locked inside, gasolined, and lit on fire. Comando veteran EMS responder Luis Colato recounts that it was, “the most sad scene we had witnessed since the general offensive in 89, the gang members were pointing guns at us not letting us do our work”. While some were able to escape through windows, most later died at the hospital due to smoke inhalation and advanced burns.
In September of 1999, Luis Colato, Efraím Solis, Roberto Cruz, and Mark Hoffman attended the 5th international conference on Disasters and risk management seminar at the Palace of Conventions in Havana Cuba. We were also invited to see the infamous ELAM, Latin American Medical School in Baracoa the year of its founding. In response to Hurricane Mitch, Fidel Castro formed the school giving full ride scholarships to Latin Americans, North Americans, Haitians, and Africans. The only requirement is that the students return to their country of origin and work with the poor. Since 1999, the ELAM has graduated more than seven Salvadoran classes on the Caribbean Island. For more information about the conference, please visit here, and the school here. CDS were grateful for the time spent meeting Cuban friends and getting to know the culture. We welcome any ELAM graduates to colaborate with us.
© 1999-2024 Comandos de Salvamento Derechos Reservados/All Rights Reserved/Alle Rettigheter Reservert
