According to 15 US lawmakers, events such as intimidation of opponents, the attack on FMLN militants or the armed takeover of the Legislative Assembly seriously endanger democracy and stability in the region.
In a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, 15 US congressmen express their “deep concern about political violence, intimidation and corruption in El Salvador”.
In it, they ask Joe Biden’s government “to avoid inadvertently supporting undemocratic or corrupt people and systems.”
Lawmakers celebrate that the White House is strengthening relations with the countries of the Western Hemisphere, something “critical to stability in the region.” However, they say it is not possible to “ignore violent trends and tactics in the pursuit of political gain.”
They claimed that the government is constantly attacking democracy. For this reason, they call on the United States to respond to such actions “with widespread complaint and immediate condemnation” and call for this to take place before the February 28 elections.
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This to “promote a peaceful electoral process, denounce the attacks on the democratic progress achieved with the El Salvador peace accords, and reaffirm the United States’ commitment to the defense of human rights, peace and democracy in the region. to confirm”.
The letter addressed to Joe Biden’s head of government diplomacy cites as a precedent for political violence and abuse of power by the government of Nayib Bukele, the military takeover of the Legislative Assembly on February 9, 2020. “led a group of armed soldiers and police officers to the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador after lawmakers failed to approve a multimillion-dollar budget to implement a phase of their internal security proposal. This was a clear attempt to intimidate and harass the Chamber and its representatives. When his authority was questioned, President Bukele threatened to dissolve the People’s Assembly, ”congressmen said.
They also condemn that in the current electoral process “political dialogue has deteriorated on issues such as intolerance, violence, bribery and corruption” and add that “these tactics may have contributed to the Jan. 31 attack against the main opposition party, the Farabundo. Martí National Liberation Front, where gunmen fired at political activists, killing two people and injuring five others. After the event, the virulence continues unabated ”.
Congressmen drew a comparison between the political violence in El Salvador and the violent takeover of the US Congress, as well as the empowerment of radical groups by former President Donald Trump. This was achieved, they say, by “using disinformation and violence to impose power and legitimacy.”
They also indicate that speaking out against the abuses in El Salvador will give Biden’s government credibility across the region as a player seeking democracy and the rule of law.
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“Our relationship with El Salvador must remain based on substantial progress towards constitutional democracy, political independence, human rights, non-violence and respect for the rule of law. By protecting these values in El Salvador, the United States can credibly promote the security, prosperity and democracy of all nations in the region. We await your response and to work with the government to promote democratic values in El Salvador and for the future of all democracies, ”they stated.
This letter ties in with other convictions by US lawmakers for abuse of power in El Salvador and is calling on several congressmen so that the White House does not make the same mistake as the Trump administration, which approved and applauded abuse of power in El Salvador, through the then US ambassador, Ronald Johnson, Nayib Bukele’s presidency, even at his most questionable moments.
This letter was led by Democrat Jimmy Panetta, California Representative. The text was supported by his colleagues James McGovern, Ilhan Omar, Jim Costa, Raúl Grijalva, Mark Pocan, David Price, Janice Schakelowsky, Salud Carbajal, Hank Johnson Jr., David Trone, Jesús García, Anna Eshoo, Thomas Suozzi and Jamie Raskin .