EL SALVADOR: REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN SALVADOR 001079 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CCA JARAHN HILLSMAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/11/20 TAGS: ETRD ETTC PREL CU ES SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR: REVIEW FOR SUSPENSION OF TITLE III OF THE LIBERTAD ACT REF: 09 STATE 115496 CLASSIFIED BY: Robert I. Blau, Charge d'Affaires; REASON: 1.4(B),(D) ¶1. (C) Post recommends suspension of Title III of the Libertad Act for El Salvador. While the GOES has restored diplomatic relations with Cuba and the FMLN has strong historic ties, at this time the government does not have significant economic or political interests in Cuba. ¶2. (C) Specific responses to reftel section 5 are provided below: -- Historically, El Salvador had worked to promote the advancement of democracy and human rights in Cuba. The new GOES restored diplomatic relations with Cuba on June 1, 2009, and has not made any statements about democracy and human rights in Cuba during its six months in office. -- Cuban Vice President Esteban Lazo attended the Inauguration of President Funes on June 1, 2009. -- Post is not aware of any significant Salvadoran investments in Cuba. El Salvador-based Grupo TACA does operate flights to Cuba. -- El Salvador has no bilateral trade agreements with Cuba. -- The Ministry of Education has a Cuban advisor. Other exchanges are reportedly taking place under the auspices of the FMLN, rather than the government. The FMLN has sponsored solidarity missions to Cuba where Salvadoran participants have received medical care. Cuban doctors are participating in Hurricane Ida disaster relief efforts. BLAU