Final answer:
El Salvador experienced the rise of 'death squads' during a civil war in the 1980s, involving rightist paramilitary groups committing human rights abuses against leftist guerrillas with the U.S. supporting the government and the guerrillas back by Soviet influences.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rise of 'Death Squads' During the Civil War
The country that experienced the rise of 'death squads' during a bloody civil war in the 1980s was a) El Salvador. These rightist paramilitary groups were notorious for their violence against leftist guerrilla forces and for committing numerous human rights abuses, including murders and massacres. The conflict in El Salvador began as a struggle between the military-led government and various guerrilla groups who were mainly comprised of impoverished peasants. Influenced by the Cold War dynamics, the United States supported the Salvadoran government forces whereas the guerrillas received backing from Cuba and Nicaragua, under the influence of the Soviet Union. The violence and instability forced many Salvadorans to seek asylum in the United States, leading to a significant Salvadoran immigrant population there.
During the civil war, aside from the death squads, the Salvadoran military also engaged in acts of repression and violence against demonstrators, such as the deadly attack in 1980, which further exacerbated the country's descent into chaos. This conflict exposed deep socio-economic divides, with a few powerful families controlling much of the land and wealth leading to widespread discontent and rebellion among the poor and disenfranchised population.