ScreamingEagle
Gold Member
- Jul 5, 2004
- 13,399
- 1,706
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The Northern Triangle (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador)
The recent wave of unaccompanied minors from Central America further proves that the Obama Administration can no longer continue ignoring the security issues of Central Americas Northern Triangle. Rampant levels of crime and violence have reached a critical point, and the U.S. needs to address these issues head on. U.S. security assistance in the region is largely dictated by the Central American Regional Security Initiative, which was implemented in 2008 under President George W. Bush to supplement the Mexican-focused counterdrug and anti-crime Mérida Initiative.
The Administrations reductions in defense spending, combined with reallocation of foreign assistance toward development rather than security, continue perpetuating this climate of insecurity. Complicating this situation is the White Houses lack of a coherent policy toward Central America. It supports burdensome legislative restrictions that punish willing partners such as Honduras while rewarding anti-American leadership in El Salvador with preferential aid programs.
In order to stem the violent conditions and economic conditions that push out citizens of Central Americas Northern Triangle, Congress should urgently consider implementing the following four policies.
Improving Regional Security in Central America's Northern Triangle
The recent wave of unaccompanied minors from Central America further proves that the Obama Administration can no longer continue ignoring the security issues of Central Americas Northern Triangle. Rampant levels of crime and violence have reached a critical point, and the U.S. needs to address these issues head on. U.S. security assistance in the region is largely dictated by the Central American Regional Security Initiative, which was implemented in 2008 under President George W. Bush to supplement the Mexican-focused counterdrug and anti-crime Mérida Initiative.
The Administrations reductions in defense spending, combined with reallocation of foreign assistance toward development rather than security, continue perpetuating this climate of insecurity. Complicating this situation is the White Houses lack of a coherent policy toward Central America. It supports burdensome legislative restrictions that punish willing partners such as Honduras while rewarding anti-American leadership in El Salvador with preferential aid programs.
In order to stem the violent conditions and economic conditions that push out citizens of Central Americas Northern Triangle, Congress should urgently consider implementing the following four policies.
Improving Regional Security in Central America's Northern Triangle
