Torres Introduces Bill to Crack Down on Corruption in the Northern Triangle
Since 2008, the United States has provided more than $1 billion to address violence, organized crime, and narcotics trafficking in Central America; Systemic corruption is undermining these goals in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador
Bill would direct the Secretary of State to develop strategy to enhance United States efforts to dismantle corruption in the Northern Triangle region
WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA), the founder and co-chair of the Central America Caucus and member of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere in the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has introduced legislation to bolster the United States' anti-corruption efforts in the Northern Triangle region of Central America. Since 2008, the United States has provided more than $1 billion through the Central America Regional Security Initiative in order to address violence, organized crime, and narcotics trafficking. However, the State Department's 2017 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report cited persistent corruption within the region's political institutions as a key obstacle to achieving these goals.
"The United States must remain committed to the fight against corruption in the Northern Triangle. We have to stand with our partners like CICIG, MACCIH, and the current Attorneys General, and we have to stand up to those corrupt officials who are standing in the way of progress," said Torres. "The End Corruption in the Northern Triangle Act will strike at the heart of corruption and bring greater transparency and accountability to our efforts. This is urgent—unless we crack down on corruption now, we are putting at risk the stability and prosperity of our key partners in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. This could increase the number of families fleeing the region, while harming the investment climate for U.S. companies that want to do business there."
H.R. 5501, the End Corruption in the Northern Triangle Act would require the Secretary of State to submit to Congress a report naming individuals, including government officials, who have committed acts of corruption and drug trafficking in the Northern Triangle. The bill would also direct the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to dismantle corruption in the region. Furthermore, it would require the Secretary of State would make available on the State Department website the total amounts of assistance under the Central America Regional Security Initiative that have been provided to each country within Central America since fiscal year 2008.
The bill comes as leaders of the Western Hemisphere prepare to gather in Lima, Peru, for the Summit of the Americas. Rep. Torres will join a congressional delegation to the Summit. The theme of this year's Summit is "Democratic Governance against Corruption."
Torres is the Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Foreign Policy and Latin America Task Force. Last year, the House of Representatives approved H.Res 145, Torres's resolution reaffirming congressional support for the fight against corruption in Central America.