FMLN goes to DC to protect its own
The FMLN sent some of its people to Washington, DC, to defend José Luis Merino, or commander "Ramiro Vásquez," pressure attorney general Douglas Melendez, and voice their displeasure with US Ambassador to El Salvador Jean Manes. Basically, the US and the FMLN disagree about how to tackle corruption in El Salvador.
The US supported the creation of a CICIG-like body for the country. The FMLN said "no." They simply needed a stronger person in the attorney general's office. Melendez was elected to that position late last year. The US then threw its support behind Melendez. However, the FMLN appears to have preferred the last attorney general who did very little to tackle corruption. They now have a problem with the new AG who has investigated the FMLN. While they don't necessarily seem to have a problem with Melendez investigating FMLN members (okay, I'm being nice), they do believe that he has failed to investigate corruption in the former ruling party, ARENA, to the same extent.
The FMLN is also unhappy with US Ambassador to El Salvador Jean Manes because she is critical of ongoing corruption in El Salvador and simply wants members of Congress to do their job by lifting the immunity of the Salvadoran Ambassador to Germany. Former Defense Minister and now Ambassador Atilio BenÃtez has been accused of arms trafficking. The FMLN believes that Manes' actions have gone too far.
Finally, and most importantly, the US has had its sights on José Luis Merino for probably a decade (or more). Merino has recently been accused by Senator Marco Rubio of drug trafficking and money laundering. These accusations have been around for years now.
At some point, the US has to stop publicly airing these allegations or ask for his extradition. Granted, you can't stop individual members of Congress from speaking their mind about Merino. He and other members of Congress do not represent the administration, an administration which hasn't been publicly airing these concerns. On the other hand if Merino really is guilty, investigations are probably going to lead to a good number of FMLN going down with him. The FMLN could be protecting the entire party, not just Merino.
The US supported the creation of a CICIG-like body for the country. The FMLN said "no." They simply needed a stronger person in the attorney general's office. Melendez was elected to that position late last year. The US then threw its support behind Melendez. However, the FMLN appears to have preferred the last attorney general who did very little to tackle corruption. They now have a problem with the new AG who has investigated the FMLN. While they don't necessarily seem to have a problem with Melendez investigating FMLN members (okay, I'm being nice), they do believe that he has failed to investigate corruption in the former ruling party, ARENA, to the same extent.
The FMLN is also unhappy with US Ambassador to El Salvador Jean Manes because she is critical of ongoing corruption in El Salvador and simply wants members of Congress to do their job by lifting the immunity of the Salvadoran Ambassador to Germany. Former Defense Minister and now Ambassador Atilio BenÃtez has been accused of arms trafficking. The FMLN believes that Manes' actions have gone too far.
Finally, and most importantly, the US has had its sights on José Luis Merino for probably a decade (or more). Merino has recently been accused by Senator Marco Rubio of drug trafficking and money laundering. These accusations have been around for years now.
At some point, the US has to stop publicly airing these allegations or ask for his extradition. Granted, you can't stop individual members of Congress from speaking their mind about Merino. He and other members of Congress do not represent the administration, an administration which hasn't been publicly airing these concerns. On the other hand if Merino really is guilty, investigations are probably going to lead to a good number of FMLN going down with him. The FMLN could be protecting the entire party, not just Merino.
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