The flood of Central American children across the border into the United States recalls the troubled history of that region and our involvement in it.

One Central American country, Nicaragua, was ruled by the Somoza family for decades. After the family was deposed in a coup in 1979, the country became a battleground between leftist and rightist groups for years. Some of the rightist groups were supported by the United States.

In El Salvador, a brutal civil war lasted from 1980 until 1992. The Cubans under Fidel Castro supported one side, and the United States the other. Regardless of its Cold War cast, the people suffered atrocities that no one should have to endure. Óscar Romero, a bishop of the Catholic Church, preached against poverty, injustice, and the assassinations and torture that were occurring. He himself was assassinated while offering Mass in 1980. Four American nuns serving in El Salvador were raped and murdered during that time.

In Honduras, forces backed by the United States fought against a leftist government in another Cold War conflict. Today Honduras has one of the highest murder rates in the world.

The violence in the region which many of the children are fleeing may be seen as one legacy from so many years of armed conflict.