1、CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress INSIGHTINSIGHTi i El Salvador: Authoritarian Actions and U.S. Response Updated December 23, 2021 On December 9, 2021, the Department of the Treasury announced sanctions against Salvadoran President Nayib Bukeles chief of staff for corruptio
2、n associated with a massive pandemic-related procurement scandal. Treasury sanctioned two other officials the previous day, for providing illicit favors to the Treasury-designated Mara Salvatrucha 13 (MS-13) gang during covert negotiations. These sanctions actions, taken pursuant to Executive Order
3、13818 (Global Magnitsky sanctions), build on U.S. responses to democratic backsliding in El Salvador. In May 2021, Bukeles legislative allies dismissed five justices on the constitutional chamber of the supreme court and the attorney general and replaced them with political allies. Increasing concer
4、ns about corruption and authoritarianism in El Salvador among some Members of Congress could influence U.S. foreign assistance provided to the country. Democratic Backsliding On June 1, 2019, Bukele, a businessperson and former mayor of San Salvador, took office for a five-year presidential term aft