IRTF News

Nayib Bukele's recent reelection as President of El Salvador, despite constitutional limitations, has sparked concerns about his leadership style dubbed the "Bukele Model." Douglas Farah of IBI Consultants highlights several worrying aspects of this model:

1. Authoritarian tendencies: Bukele's approach echoes strategies seen in other 21st-century political movements, including undermining checks and balances and consolidating power.
2. Lack of transparency: Government activities are less transparent, with diminished accountability and restricted public access to information.
3. Complex ties with gangs: There's a concerning integration of gangs into the political structure, alongside unsustainable mass incarceration policies.
4. Weakening of institutions: Independence and professionalism within key institutions like the police, military, and judiciary are eroding.
5. Human rights concerns: Despite touted security gains, the human rights cost is high, with a significant number of arrests and alleged abuses.

Farah argues that while Bukele's security model is praised publicly, its efficacy may be overstated, and it comes with significant human rights implications. Additionally, Farah points out Bukele's adoption of authoritarian tactics, including media control and suppression of dissent.

He also addresses concerns about the influence of China, suggesting it's overstated, and advocates for a more consistent critique from the Biden administration regarding anti-democratic trends in El Salvador.

Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández has been convicted of cocaine trafficking, becoming the first ex-head of state found guilty of such charges in the United States since Manuel Noriega in 1992. The jury's decision followed a two-week trial during which witnesses detailed bribes to Hernández's political campaigns, including from Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán. Hernández, who faces a minimum of 40 years in prison, defended himself by citing anti-crime legislation and cooperation with the US on counternarcotics. However, prosecutors argued he protected drug traffickers, including his brother, leading to his conviction. The trial highlighted the complex relationship between the US and Hernández, once considered a key ally in Central America. His downfall stemmed from allegations of election fraud and connections to drug trafficking, despite previous support from the Trump administration. His arrest in 2022 and subsequent trial marked a turning point for Hondurans seeking accountability for corruption within their political system.

In a trial involving former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, a witness accused an unnamed member of the Israeli embassy in Colombia of participating in a cocaine ring. The testimony revealed details of a money-laundering scheme linked to the drug trade. The witness, Luis Perez, a convicted drug trafficker, disclosed this information while testifying against Hernandez. Perez claimed that the embassy official transported large sums of money for the Sinaloa cartel between Honduras and Colombia. The allegations, though unverified, raised broader questions about Israel's involvement in Latin America and its historical ties to government and drug smuggling in the region. Hernandez, who faced charges of drug trafficking and weapons offenses, denied any wrongdoing. The trial highlighted the complex relationships between governments, drug cartels, and foreign entities in the region, shedding light on the extent of corruption and complicity in the drug trade.

The article discusses the recent intervention of the Biden administration in the presidential election in Guatemala, supporting the center-left candidate, Bernardo Arevelo. Arevelo's surprising victory faced opposition from the conservative establishment in Guatemala, including the outgoing president and ultra-conservative lawmakers. In response, the Biden administration, concerned about the threat to democracy, applied pressure on the Guatemalan elite to accept the election outcome. This included canceling visas for nearly 300 Guatemalans, prompting protests and eventually leading to Arevelo taking office on January 15, 2024. The article reflects on Guatemala's history of U.S. interference, particularly the 1954 CIA intervention that ousted President Arbenz, and suggests that the recent U.S. intervention marks a commendable shift toward supporting democracy in the region. The piece raises questions about the future stability of Arevelo's presidency given the opposition he faces within Guatemala.

Rights Action commemorates the 8th anniversary of the assassination of Berta Caceres and the attempted killing of Gustavo Castro. The current trial of former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez (JOH) in New York for operating a drug trafficking cartel from within the Honduran government adds significance to this anniversary. The 'Putting the U.S. and Canada on Trial Campaign,' led by former Rights Action colleague Karen Spring, aims to expose the corruption and impunity of the U.S. and Canada in supporting a military-backed, drug-trafficking regime in Honduras for nearly 13 years. Berta Caceres, a victim of the U.S. and Canadian-backed coup in 2009, dedicated her life to activism against repression, militarism, and human rights violations. Despite charges laid against individuals connected to the coup, justice remains elusive due to the political and economic elites' influence. The message encourages continued activism and struggle against injustices, inequalities, and environmental exploitation, embodying Berta's legacy and vision for a better world.