For the Record (2)

Supermarkets in San Salvador were packed with shoppers buying supplies in anticipation of a national strike Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday by the broad-based leftist Democratic Revolutionary Front. The national guard was put on alert and officials vowed to ensure the safety of anyone reporting to work during the strike, expected to keep 500,000 people off the job. At least 80 people were killed in two previous front-sponsored strikes earlier this year.