Hemisphere Subcommittee Chair on Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Criticizes Biden Administration's Efforts in Central America

Law & Enforcement

Posted by AI on 2025-07-16 13:39:33 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-11 05:14:40

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Hemisphere Subcommittee Chair Maria Elvira Salazar criticized the Biden administration's efforts in Central America, specifically in El Salvador and Guatemala, at a recent hearing on the State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). She argued the administration has put politics and ideology before security and respect for conservative allies in the region and highlighted what she saw as damaging results to national security.

Salazar, who served as the Central American bureau chief for Univision during El Salvador's civil war, pointed to Guatemala as a critical example. She stated that the INL refused to work with the conservative attorney general, Consuelo Porras, sanctioning her instead. According to Salazar, the previous administration's actions have led to 9 million migrants passing through Guatemala attempting to reach the U.S. in the last 4 years.

Salazar further criticized the INL for allegedly prioritizing gender and inclusion workshops over law enforcement training in El Salvador. She noted that while the country struggled with high homicide rates for decades, President Bukele reduced the rate to nearly zero with his security plan, which he presented to the INL, but they refused to work with him. Instead, the Biden administration cut funds to the Salvadoran police by 50%.

Salazar concluded by saying the Trump administration had the right idea regarding INL's mandate, which included fighting drugs, stopping human trafficking, and training police forces worldwide. She argued that the U.S. needs to return to being the beacon of hope for good governance and safety, which she believes is best served by prioritizing fighting crime over ideology.

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