US officials believe corruption in the region is endemic. They emphasize that civil servants must act in accordance with the rule of law.
The United States indicates that an important signal in the Northern Triangle is that officials must act in accordance with the law, that they are consistent and that they give the population what it “deserves” in these aspects, access to information and that they act. in accordance with the rule of law.
These were statements made by two officials in President Joe Biden’s administration about what is happening in El Salvador and in the region, where they emphasized that what is happening to Central America is affecting the United States.
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“We have a shared future with Central America and what’s good for Central America is good for the United States,” said Ricardo Zúñiga, Special Envoy of the State Department for the Northern Triangle, who was joined by Juan at a press conference. González, Special Assistant to President Biden and Senior Director of the National Security Council for the Western Hemisphere.
Zúñiga said that in El Salvador, the International Commission Against Impunity in El Salvador (CICIES) is an instrument that could help strengthen the rule of law, an independent CICIES said.
“It was disappointing for the United States to see the departure of MACCIH (in Honduras) and the CICIG (International Commission Against Impunity) (in Guatemala) after such an important effort by then. Vice President Biden and the United States government to support these structures, ”he said.
In fact, this week the CICIES recommended a series of reforms to President Nayib Bukele to improve access to information and fight corruption.
Zúñiga stressed that El Salvador is important to the United States in all aspects, social, political, cultural, economic, where they are committed to working with civil society and the private sector.
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“El Salvador is a very important country for the United States, President Biden and the Vice President (Kamala Harris) have devoted their time and attention to understanding that the social, economic, political and cultural ties between the two countries are so important that they What is happening in El Salvador is of primary importance to the United States, ”explains Zúñiga.
He adds that Washington is committed to its partners in the country, be it government, civil society or the private sector, “to always work with those who want to work with us, to foster conditions that are conducive. for the good in Central America, this is the equivalent for El Salvador ”, Zúñiga points out.
Regarding the relationship between the countries, he affirmed that they are in permanent dialogue with the governments to respond to mutual interests and especially to strengthen democracy and democratic culture and to pay attention to the needs of the countries.
In the country, Zúñiga explained that they understand that President Nayib Bukele is asking countries to be treated differently, which is what the United States will do, to open doors to improve cooperation.
‘I can assure you it will be. This is how it has been and will be in the future. We understand that conditions are different in each country and that there are different opportunities in each country that we can serve. So what we see are opportunities to open doors to improve that cooperation and serve the whole of society, including those who are concerned about governance and address issues within a state to promote a rule of law and work on a respectful, but always present according to our principles, ”he said.
Ricardo Zúñiga is a Honduran national and has worked in the Obama administration. Photo EDH / Archives
Corruption is endemic
Juan González stressed that corruption is an “endemic” evil to Central America and is one of the elements motivating migration, “especially in countries where there are no, no economic opportunities,” he said.
He adds that after seeing the departure of the CICIG in Guatemala and the MACCIH in Honduras, they saw the need to make an effort and take swift action against corruption using the tools of the United States, including the suspension of visas, sanctions on individuals and freezing of assets. used in corruption, human rights violations and money laundering in support of drug trafficking.
He argues that in the Northern Triangle region it is important to help build capacity in the institutions, where they note that there are prosecutors who are committed to the fight against corruption, but they are just, “we need a way. to support public ministries., to prosecutors fighting against corruption, ”said González, but also to fight toward creating an investment climate.
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Another aspect that he denounces is that for other actors involved, be it civil society, the private sector, prosecutors and also governments, they have the opportunity to exchange ideas for best practices against corruption.
“So that’s something I think we’re going to get into quickly in the first part and we’re going to be consulting with our Congress, with civil society in the region, the US and regional private sectors, to make sure we do this. in a way that is collaborative and not something imposed by the United States alone, ”said González.
Ricardo Zúñiga points out that the border is ‘closed’ and that they will obey their laws to ensure that only people authorized to cross the border enter the United States, but they will also work in the region of the Northern Triangle and with Mexico, with their partners, “to create conditions so that vulnerable people, people at risk, can come to help in their country on the migration route and have access to the necessary protection,” he explains, but mainly through conditions to improve the flow of migrants.
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“We have a collaborative strategy with these partners, not only Mexico, but also Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, to combat these dangerous journeys and try to improve conditions in the area. Of course, governance issues and anti-corruption efforts will be central, as will our efforts to work with civil society, the private sector and of course with governments to promote situations that promote the dignity, security and prosperity of citizens. Central Americans in their own country, ”he emphasized.
He adds that when there is a critical situation in Central America it affects the situation in the United States, so they will work with their partners in the region to create and promote conditions for improving the social situation, security and governance in all countries. , with the aim of attracting investment, creating jobs and opportunities, where the scene of a critical situation is stable, prosperous and safe countries every year.