‘El Salvador will fight corruption, violence for the good of its citizens’ | Opinion

Throughout the eight months of my administration, my team and I have worked tirelessly to address El Salvador’s out-of-control security challenges. We have had eight months to fix 30 years of polarizing policies, widespread corruption and crime.

Ten years of the extreme left-wing, pro-Maduro FMLN political party, combined with 20 years of the right-wing death-squad sponsor ARENA political party have left our country in shackles, riddled in violence, including murder. In addition, three former presidents of these political parties are either in prison, in asylum in Daniel Ortega’s Nicaragua or died under house arrest.

It has not been easy to reverse course. The traditional political parties and ruling class see the very foundation of their illicit interests under threat by the success of our policies.

We have learned from recent investigations by the independent attorney general, that these parties’ leadership is actively engaged with terrorist groups in El Salvador. These groups are working to influence and finance elections, specifically the election of Norman Quijano, the former presidential candidate and recent speaker of the National Assembly.

To confront this and other problems, I have repeatedly asked our National Assembly, controlled by ARENA and FMLN, to approve a loan of $109 million in order to implement the third phase of our security plan. The plan is an important step in taking back control of our country from terrorist groups. The loan, whose proposed uses have been fully transparent, is earmarked exclusively to purchase equipment and logistical support for the police and military, who have been neglected for more than 30 years.

So far, the security plan is working. Under Phase One, we regained control of the prison system and lowered the homicide rate by more than 60 percent. To contain violence, we have deployed thousands more police and military throughout the country. In Phase Two, we have been working on social programs for communities affected by violence and years of neglect by previous governments. By the way, we also have a pending loan of $91 million to finalize this phase.

Yet without these loans, we cannot continue Phase Two or start Phase Three. Without these technical and intelligence components, our law enforcement and military officials will be left vulnerable to the terrorist organizations financed by members of the National Assembly.

The police is using decaying equipment. The military, which has also been on the front lines in combating domestic terrorism, has been doing so with outdated and insufficient equipment.

The timing of the National Assembly’s stunt is no coincidence. Members were caught on video scheming with terrorist groups financing their criminal activities and asking them to coerce citizens into voting for candidates in the political parties.

Last week, by calling on Article 167, Section 7 of El Salvador’s Constitution, the Council of Ministers summoned the National Assembly for an extraordinary session of congress to vote on the loan, which is a matter of national security and for the benefit of all Salvadorans.

My administration was deeply concerned about a popular uprising of frustrated Salvadorans mobilized against the National Assembly. This is why we asked the military to be present, should violence erupt as tens of thousands of Salvadorans gathered outside the National Assembly calling for the removal of its members.

Certain media interests falsely reported this as an attempt to take over that institution. But let me be clear: I respect the separation of powers. Anyone who suggests I was attempting to do such a thing is purposefully misrepresenting the truth.

Rather than focusing on my attempts to protect the Salvadoran people, the media should focus on why the National Assembly continues failing the people of El Salvador. The focus should be on those in the National Assembly who protect their own by not revoking immunity given former Speaker Quijano, who has been indicted by the attorney general on charges of conspiring with terrorist groups. Quijano cannot be arraigned unless his immunity is revoked. Their hands are tainted with blood.

My administration is trying to win back our nation with a security plan that enjoys more than 90 percent support from the people. These measures undoubtedly are not popular with the perpetrators of the bloodshed in both the ARENA and FMLN political parties for the past 30 years

This should not be a debate of separations of powers, which is not at risk in my country. What is at risk are the lives of hard-working Salvadoran families. In fact, unchecked violence was one of the main drivers of immigration from this country to the United States. Both have decreased significantly under my administration.

The United States should always side with the good guys.

Nayib Bukele is president of El Salvador.

This story was originally published February 15, 2020 at 11:23 AM.