Roberto D'Aubuisson played a large role in the coup of JRG, however it is not the coup that marks him a critical player behind the civil war.
On March 24th 1980, beloved human rights activist Archbishop Oscar Romero was assassinated by D'Aubuisson. This single act brought tensions into full-scale war.
Although D'Aubuisson was imprisoned shortly after the assassination, right-wing conservatives responded with violent attacks, which eventually lead to his release.
Soon after, he founded the Nationalist Republican Alliance Party (ARENA), which continued to encourage violence from the military death squads towards civilians throughout the war.
