Painted clay figurines featuring a bloody, slain peasant (the “Christ figure”) at the feet of two camouflaged, US-equipped-and-funded soldiers (considered “the new centurions,” tools of empire) filled Central American Christmas markets during my visit. During the heat of the Civil War, poor Salvadoran children scooted these gory trios into their manger scenes along with Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds. They are a vivid Liberation Theology reminder of Roman Empire/American Empire parallels and how Christ knows their struggles. I keep this statue — my favorite souvenir from that trip — on a prominent shelf in my office.