Torres Secures $61.5 Million for Anti-Corruption Efforts, Other Key Central America Provisions in Government Funding Bill
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) announced the inclusion of $61.5 million for anti-corruption and rule of law efforts in Central America, along with several other critical provisions, in the omnibus government funding bill that today passed the House.
As a Member of the Appropriations Committee, Congresswoman Torres included these provisions to ensure that U.S. – Central America policy focuses on protecting human rights and upholding democratic institutions and rule of law in the region.
"The U.S. has a responsibility to uphold human rights, democracy, and rule of law in the Northern Triangle, and this has long been a priority for me," said Congresswoman Torres. "I'm glad to have secured these provisions to ensure our Central America policy focuses on helping the people of Central America, and that we aren't funding corrupt governments responsible for human rights abuses. I will continue to work to guarantee taxpayer dollars aren't sent overseas to leaders lining their own pockets at the expense of their people."
Specifically, Representative Torres provisions' include:
- $61.5 million for anti-corruption efforts in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, including support to FECI in Guatemala and UFERCO in Honduras;
- An increase from $45 million included in the fiscal year 2021 bill.
- The removal of all foreign military financing for El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras;
- $70 million for programs to reduce violence against women and girls, including $15 million that can be used for bilateral compacts to protect women and children in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. This provision is based on Congresswoman Torres' bill, the Central American Women and Children Protection Act. More information is available here;
- FY21 included only $25 million for programs in the Northern Triangle to protect women and children.
- $1 million for the Inter-America Foundation economic exchanges with indigenous peoples in the Western Hemisphere and Native American tribes. This provision builds upon Torres' previous support for fostering coordination and collaboration between these groups. More information is available here;
- Conditioning 50% of foreign assistance to the governments of El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala on meeting rule of law and anti-corruption standards;
- Directing the State Department to consult with Congress on planned use of International Military and Education Training for El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras;
- An increase in State Department and Treasury staff focused on Sanctions targeting Central America, including $500,000 to the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs' Office of Economic Sanctions Policy, as well as a report on how this increased staff is impacting the ability to implement sanctions;
- Additional oversight and accountability language for the Foreign Military Financing Program, to ensure defense articles, services, and training are consistent with US national security policy. The Secretary of State must inform the appropriate congressional committees of any instance in which the Secretary has credible information that such assistance was used in a manner contrary to such agreement; and
- Additional oversight language of the Department of Defense's military assistance to Guatemala
Congresswoman Torres was born in Guatemala and is the only Central American currently serving in Congress. As Co-Chair of the Central America Caucus, she has been outspoken about addressing the misuse of U.S. military aid by corrupt Guatemalan officials, specifically abuse by Guatemalan officials of DOD-donated armored Jeeps in 2018 to intimidate the UN-backed anti-corruption commission, CICIG, and the U.S. Embassy. She again raised concern when these jeeps may have been used in 2021 against peaceful community leaders in El Estor, Guatemala.
More information about Rep. Torres' work on U.S.-Central America policy is available here.
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