Topic: Political Corruption in Latin America
Country: El Salvador
Delegate Name: Abigail Morrow
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All El Salvador position papers GLIMUN 2018 committees
Throughout history, Latin American countries have been colonized by European nations such as Spain, Portugal and France. Once Latin American countries gained their independence, they often resulted in autocratic governments due to the centralization of power under colonization. Although many countries have begun to and are trying to shift into democratic governments, there has been a challenge as other powers take control in these countries due to organized crime units. The number one perpetuator of this issue is drug cartels. Political corruption in Latin America has been detrimental to many lives, for example the corrupt situations in Honduras have caused 4,000 citizens to migrate towards the United States in hope of escaping poor working conditions and violence. For El Salvador the topic of Political Corruption in Latin America is very prevalent. In El Salvador the crime rates are very high. There are hundreds of violent, well-armed street gangs that have access to weapons. The homicide rates are very high, but as a country we are actively working to decrease them. In fact, there was a 25% decrease in homicide rates from 2016 to 2017. It is very important to El Salvador to improve the current corrupt situation in Latin America and our country, in order to ensure better rights for our citizens.
Currently, El Salvador faces corruption through drug cartels and crime but not in our government. El Salvador emphasizes the importance of a depoliticized approach to the selection of judges and magistrates. Our government has also enabled the participation of citizens and and interested parties to the process of interviewing and vetting candidates for positions on the bench. El Salvador’s political figures are delegates of the people, therefore making them responsible for abiding to the constitution, regardless of their position. Our government is a becoming a better democracy everyday. Transparency and access to public information are prerequisites for the full effect of the rule of law. The law on public information ensures that Salvadorans who request information from State bodies receive that information. Our Government has also strengthened citizen participation through citizen assemblies and thematic committees with representation from a broad swathe of sectors. Unfortunately, El Salvador still experiences numerous homicides per year due to a high crime rate. El Salvador’s response to this issue is Plan El Salvador Seguro which focuses on the areas with the highest levels of crime, poverty, and gang presence. El Salvador has been working hard on crime prevention and criminal justice, in particular toward the elimination of violence against migrants, workers and their families. This was subject of one of the resolutions El Salvador has recently presented before the security council. El Salvador’s president, Salvador Sánchez Cerén, said “We will work hard to bring tranquility, decrease insecurity and persecute those who commit crimes.” El Salvador has addressed concern of corruption in our country with the United Nations Security Council. The Security Council is working with El Salvador to create an atmosphere of peaceful coexistence in the country.
El Salvador recommends that in order to enhance stability and end corruption in Latin American countries, the Special Political committee must work at decreasing crime rates. El Salvador calls on developed countries in this time of corruption, to assist El Salvador and others. Many of the Latin American countries receive their negative political connotation because of their high crime rates and drug cartels. El Salvador suggests the committee work together in order to solve the problem of crime by implementing better security in all the nations struggling with corruption. Furthermore, El Salvador suggests that the funds for this purpose be given directly to the nations and they must decide how they are going to increase national security. El Salvador would like to see the international community support Latin American countries in our war against crime and corruption. We would like to see this support through funds and possibly military and security assistance such as national civil police. El Salvador recognizes past faults in corruption which leads us to the realization that corruption can improve within a government and crime rates can improve through implementing policies. El Salvador strongly urges the United Nations to assist Latin American countries to improve civilian life in all nations.
