The United States government took an active role in the coup. Plotters stated that they had first attained prior US approval for the coup. It is clear that the US was aware of the plan beforehand. The US had been Romero's biggest supporter, but by October 1979, the US decided it needed a regime change. The officers the US recruited promised reforms, political rights, and amnesty for all political prisoners. Following the coup, the United States immediately recognized the junta's legitimacy as the government of El Salvador. Under Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, the junta and subsequent civilian government received massive aid and funding from the United States.
