“The fight against corruption will be at the heart of President Biden’s policy” for our country and also for Honduras and Guatemala, “said Ricardo Zúñiga, US Special Envoy for the Northern Triangle.
This morning, two key United States government officials for the region held a press conference where they reiterated the Biden administration’s emphasis on reducing the causes of migration, including the systematic corruption affecting all countries in the region.
Juan González, Chief Executive of the National Security Council for the Western Hemisphere; and Ricardo Zúñiga, special envoy of the State Department for the Northern Triangle, also stated that the United States government will lead this conversation not only with governments, but also with civil society.
In addition, they explained that the new administration’s approach is diametrically opposed to that of Donald Trump’s previous administration, where they focused solely on stopping the migration flow and downplayed the causes of this mass exodus of people, as an institutional one. character. solid, transparent and creating opportunities.
Respect for institutions
Zúñiga, who was appointed Special Envoy for the Northern Triangle earlier this week, said the United States’ relationship with El Salvador is fundamental and highlighted how the North American country has worked together to strengthen Salvadoran democracy.
He therefore called on the government not only to promote employment and improve public safety, but also to respect democratic institutions. That, he added, “create the conditions for investment” and thereby generate opportunities.
“It is important to have a separation of powers, that corruption allegations are dealt with by independent actors and that there are independent courts to respond to these allegations,” added Zúñiga.
SEE ALSO: US names Ricardo Zúñiga, diplomat who will oversee the fight against corruption in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala
In addition, he said they are ready to strengthen relations “with any governments willing to strengthen democratic culture, respect the freedom of the press and expression, and meet the needs of society”.
Zúñiga’s words come at a time when it is being criticized that Nayib Bukele’s government has hit institutions and freedom of the press in less than two years of his reign. During this period, they highlight a military takeover of Congress, as well as intimidation of the critical and independent press in the country.
Regarding the latter, Juan González stressed that respect for freedom of the press will be a central requirement of the Biden government to cooperate and cooperate with the governments of the Northern Triangle.
“Solving the problems (of the region) in a transparent and constructive way requires free press,” he said, adding that this guarantee is “essential for strengthening democracy”.
“It is the responsibility of governments to respect and promote the role of the press, even if they criticize it,” he said.
US congressmen from both sides have condemned the Bukele administration’s attacks on the media, and while the Trump administration downplayed this stance, the Biden administration makes it a top priority.
An anti-corruption task force
US officials reiterated that the Biden administration will set up a regional anti-corruption task force with the aim of cooperating with investigations, providing capacity to local prosecutors and institutions, and punishing Central American officials involved in corruption, money laundering money or assets, and drug trafficking. and human rights violations.
González and Zúñiga explained that this task force was proposed in view of the fact that institutions such as the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) and the Mission in Support of Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH) have completed their mandates and left . a vacuum in the fight against looting of public funds. In addition, he stated that in El Salvador only a truly independent CICIES can play this role in supporting local institutions.
When he was vice president in the Obama administration, González said, “President Biden supported both (MACCIH and CICIG) and the lack of these committees has left ministries (prosecutors) and civil society without sufficient tools to formulate and fight things. these problems “.
Finally, both officials stressed that they will seek to cooperate with civil society in the countries and use their experience in promoting transparency to strengthen democratic institutions.
“The United States will have a preferential relationship with anti-corruption actors and many civil society and private sector actors who understand the need for the rule of law,” added Special Envoy Zúñiga.