Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SANSALVADOR889
2009-09-22 17:05:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy San Salvador
Cable title:
EL SALVADOR'S NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL A COMPROMISE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHSN #0889 2651705 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 221705Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1635 INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAWJA/DOJ WASHDC PRIORITY RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUCWOCV/JUSTICE DEPT US ATTORNEY MIAMI FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN SALVADOR 000889
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KJUS SNAR SOCI ES
SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR'S NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL A COMPROMISE
REF: SAN SALVADOR 733
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Robert Blau, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN SALVADOR 000889
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KJUS SNAR SOCI ES
SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR'S NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL A COMPROMISE
REF: SAN SALVADOR 733
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Robert Blau, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d)
1. (C) Summary: El Salvador's Legislative Assembly chose
Romeo Benjamin Barahona Melendez as its new Attorney General
(AG) September 18 following a long power lacuna in the
office. The AG has significant influence on law enforcement
and security policy in El Salvador. Barahona promises a
renewed focus on core law enforcement goals, but will need
U.S. assistance to achieve them. End Summary.
2. (C) JudAtt met with Romeo Barahona, a former Deputy
Attorney General, September 18 and 19, just prior to and
following his unanimous confirmation by the National Assembly
as El Salvador's Attorney General. Barahona said his
priorities were: 1) homicides, 2) extorsions, and 3)
corruption. He believes that all three are inherently
gang-related. Barahona believes it is important to create a
public perception that his office is aggressively attacking
these problems. Barahona told JudAtt that he sees the gang
problem as something that must be attacked holistically, but
added that anti-gang efforts are hampered by systemic and
infrastructure problems that will require U.S. assistance.
3. (U) In addition, he told the press that his priorities
will be to strengthen investigative efforts, especially with
regard to the use of scientific evidence, and to coordinate
efforts between the Ministry of Public Security, the National
Civilian Police (PNC in Spanish),and the judiciary. He also
stated publicly that his focus will be on creating a "culture
of respect for the law."
4. (C) Barahona was chosen as a compromise candidate after
several months of Astor Escalante serving in an acting
capacity. Nevertheless, his selection has met with
widespread support from diverse sectors of society, notably
the National Private Business Association (ANEP in Spanish)
and the new director of the PNC, largely due to his extensive
prior experience. Although Barahona had been one of the
candidates considered when the office became vacant in April,
he failed in earlier rounds to garner sufficient support from
a majority of the legislators. Barahona had also been
proposed as AG by the ARENA party in 2006, but his nomination
was opposed by the FMLN. Barahona overcame FMLN objections
this time, reportedly due to President Funes' mediation
efforts.
5. (C) Barahona previously worked in the AG's office for
nearly 10 years, and was a Deputy AG for approximately eight
years, until February 2009, when President Saca replaced him
with Astor Escalante, the former Deputy Minister of Public
Security. Escalante became acting AG in April, and Barahona
has been working as an advisor to the AG since then.
6. (C) Comment: The AG has significant influence on law
enforcement and security policy in El Salvador. Given the
impetus that Barahona's selection may provide to anti-gang
and anti-corruption efforts, we believe that Merida funding
to support the AG is warranted. Merida funding for the AG is
justifiable on its own merits, but also as a counterweight to
Public Security Minister Manuel Melgar. End Comment.
BLAU
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KJUS SNAR SOCI ES
SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR'S NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL A COMPROMISE
REF: SAN SALVADOR 733
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Robert Blau, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d)
1. (C) Summary: El Salvador's Legislative Assembly chose
Romeo Benjamin Barahona Melendez as its new Attorney General
(AG) September 18 following a long power lacuna in the
office. The AG has significant influence on law enforcement
and security policy in El Salvador. Barahona promises a
renewed focus on core law enforcement goals, but will need
U.S. assistance to achieve them. End Summary.
2. (C) JudAtt met with Romeo Barahona, a former Deputy
Attorney General, September 18 and 19, just prior to and
following his unanimous confirmation by the National Assembly
as El Salvador's Attorney General. Barahona said his
priorities were: 1) homicides, 2) extorsions, and 3)
corruption. He believes that all three are inherently
gang-related. Barahona believes it is important to create a
public perception that his office is aggressively attacking
these problems. Barahona told JudAtt that he sees the gang
problem as something that must be attacked holistically, but
added that anti-gang efforts are hampered by systemic and
infrastructure problems that will require U.S. assistance.
3. (U) In addition, he told the press that his priorities
will be to strengthen investigative efforts, especially with
regard to the use of scientific evidence, and to coordinate
efforts between the Ministry of Public Security, the National
Civilian Police (PNC in Spanish),and the judiciary. He also
stated publicly that his focus will be on creating a "culture
of respect for the law."
4. (C) Barahona was chosen as a compromise candidate after
several months of Astor Escalante serving in an acting
capacity. Nevertheless, his selection has met with
widespread support from diverse sectors of society, notably
the National Private Business Association (ANEP in Spanish)
and the new director of the PNC, largely due to his extensive
prior experience. Although Barahona had been one of the
candidates considered when the office became vacant in April,
he failed in earlier rounds to garner sufficient support from
a majority of the legislators. Barahona had also been
proposed as AG by the ARENA party in 2006, but his nomination
was opposed by the FMLN. Barahona overcame FMLN objections
this time, reportedly due to President Funes' mediation
efforts.
5. (C) Barahona previously worked in the AG's office for
nearly 10 years, and was a Deputy AG for approximately eight
years, until February 2009, when President Saca replaced him
with Astor Escalante, the former Deputy Minister of Public
Security. Escalante became acting AG in April, and Barahona
has been working as an advisor to the AG since then.
6. (C) Comment: The AG has significant influence on law
enforcement and security policy in El Salvador. Given the
impetus that Barahona's selection may provide to anti-gang
and anti-corruption efforts, we believe that Merida funding
to support the AG is warranted. Merida funding for the AG is
justifiable on its own merits, but also as a counterweight to
Public Security Minister Manuel Melgar. End Comment.
BLAU