Jose Arturo Castellanos Military man and diplomat Date of Birth: 23.12.1893 Country: Salvador

1. José Arturo Castellanos: Salvadoran Schindler
2. Early Life and Military Career
3. Diplomatic Assignments
4. Meeting György Mandl
5. Falsified Documents and International Recognition
6. "Glass House" and Swiss Diplomatic Support
7. Legacy and Recognition

José Arturo Castellanos: Salvadoran Schindler

José Arturo Castellanos (1893-1977), a Salvadoran military officer and diplomat, played a crucial role in saving over 25,000 Jewish lives during the Holocaust. Known as the "Salvadoran Schindler," Castellanos worked closely with György Mandl to issue falsified Salvadoran passports.

Early Life and Military Career

Born in San Vicente, El Salvador, Castellanos joined the military in 1910 as a cadet. He attended the Military College in Turin, Italy, and rose to the rank of Colonel by 1936. He became Chief of the General Staff of the Salvadoran Army.

Diplomatic Assignments

In 1937, Castellanos was appointed Consul General of El Salvador in Liverpool, England. In 1938, he was transferred to Hamburg, Germany, and in 1941, to Geneva, Switzerland.

Meeting György Mandl

In Geneva, Castellanos met Jewish businessman György Mandl from Transylvania. Their friendship became the catalyst for rescuing thousands of European Jews.

Falsified Documents and International Recognition

Together, they created a fictitious embassy post for Mandl and began issuing forged Salvadoran nationality certificates and marriage documents to Jews. These documents protected them from deportation to Nazi death camps. The documents were even recognized by other consulates in Geneva, adding to their authenticity.

"Glass House" and Swiss Diplomatic Support

Many of these documents were sent to Swiss Vice-Consul Carl Lutz in Hungary. Lutz hid thousands of Jews in an abandoned glass factory, known as the "Glass House." Castellanos and Mandl's efforts fooled Nazi officials, who were unfamiliar with El Salvador. Approximately 40,000 documents were issued, saving over 25,000 people.

Legacy and Recognition

Despite his bravery, Castellanos remained humble. His story remained largely unknown until the release of the 2006 documentary film "The Glass House." In 2010, the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Center honored Castellanos as a "Righteous Among the Nations."