Report to Congress Pursuant to Section 353(d)(1)(A) of the United States-Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act, 36174-36176 [2021-14515]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 128 (Thursday, July 8, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36174-36176]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-14515]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 11461]


Report to Congress Pursuant to Section 353(d)(1)(A) of the United 
States--Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act

ACTION: Notice of report.

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SUMMARY: This document outlines the State Department's report to 
Congress regarding foreign persons who have knowingly engaged in 
actions that undermine democratic processes or institutions, 
significant corruption, or obstruction of such corruption in El 
Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras pursuant to Section 353(b) of the 
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs 
Appropriations Act, 2021.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Report to Congress on Foreign Persons Who Have Knowingly Engaged in 
Actions That Undermine Democratic Processes or Institutions, 
Significant Corruption, or Obstruction of Such Corruption in El 
Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras Section 353(b) of the Department of 
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 
2021 (Div. FF, Pub. L. 116-260)

    Consistent with Section 353(b) of the United States--Northern 
Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act (Subtitle F of title III of Div. FF, 
Pub. L. 116-260), this report is being submitted to the House Foreign 
Affairs Committee, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, House Committee 
on the Judiciary, and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
    Consistent with the requirements of Section 353(b), this report 
identifies the following persons in El Salvador, Guatemala, and 
Honduras: (1) Foreign persons determined to have knowingly engaged in 
actions that undermine democratic processes or institutions; (2) 
foreign persons determined to have knowingly engaged in significant 
corruption; and (3) foreign persons determined to have knowingly 
engaged in obstruction of investigations into such acts of corruption, 
including the following: Corruption related to government contracts; 
bribery and extortion; the facilitation or transfer of the proceeds of 
corruption, including through money laundering; and acts of violence, 
harassment, or intimidation directed at governmental and 
nongovernmental corruption investigators.
    Consistent with the requirements of Section 353, foreign persons 
listed in this report are generally ineligible for visas and admission 
to the United States. Foreign persons listed in this report shall have 
their visas revoked immediately and any other valid visa or entry 
documentation will be cancelled, absent an exception or national 
security interest waiver. Consistent with Section 353(g), this report 
will be published in the Federal Register.
    The report includes individuals for whom the Department is aware of 
credible information or allegations of the conduct at issue, from media 
reporting and other sources. The Department will continue to review the 
individuals listed in the report and consider all available tools to 
deter and disrupt corrupt, undemocratic activity in El Salvador, 
Guatemala, and Honduras. The Department also continues to actively 
review additional credible information and allegations concerning 
corruption and to utilize all applicable authorities, as appropriate, 
to ensure corrupt officials are denied safe haven in the United States.

El Salvador

    Walter Ren[eacute] Araujo Morales, former member and president of 
the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, undermined democratic processes or 
institutions by calling for insurrection against the Legislative 
Assembly and repeatedly threatening political candidates.
    Pablo Salvador Anliker Infante, former Minister of Agriculture, 
engaged in significant corruption by misappropriating public funds for 
his personal benefit.
    Conan Tonathiu Castro Ram[iacute]rez, current legal advisor to the 
president, undermined democratic processes or institutions by assisting 
in the inappropriate removal of five Supreme Court Magistrates and the 
Attorney General.
    [Oacute]scar Rolando Castro, Minister of Labor, obstructed 
investigations into corruption and undermined democratic processes or 
institutions in efforts to damage his political opponents.
    Osiris Luna Meza, Vice Minister of Security and Director of 
Prisons, has engaged in significant corruption related to government 
contracts and bribery during his term in office.
    Jos[eacute] Luis Merino, former vice minister for foreign 
investment and development financing, engaged in significant corruption 
during his term in office through bribery. He also participated in a 
money laundering scheme.
    Ezequiel Milla Guerra, former mayor of La Union, engaged in 
significant corruption by abusing his authority as mayor in the sale of 
Perico Island to agents of the People's Republic of China in exchange 
for personal benefit.
    Jos[eacute] Aquiles Enrique Rais L[oacute]pez engaged in 
significant corruption and undermined democratic processes or 
institutions by bribing public officials.
    Martha Carolina Recinos de Bernal, current Chief of Cabinet, 
engaged in significant corruption by misusing public funds for personal 
benefit. She also participated in a significant money laundering 
scheme.
    Carlos Armando Reyes Ramos, current member of the Legislative 
Assembly, obstructed investigations into corruption by inappropriately 
influencing the Supreme Court Magistrate selection process.
    Othon Sigfrido Reyes Morales, former legislator from the FMLN party 
of El Salvador, engaged in significant corruption during his term in 
office through fraud and misuse of public funds.
    Rogelio Eduardo Rivas Polanco, former minister of security and 
justice, engaged in significant corruption by misappropriating public 
funds for personal benefit.
    Adolfo Salume Artinano, engaged in significant corruption and 
undermined democratic processes and institutions by bribing a Supreme 
Court Magistrate to avoid paying a fine.
    Luis Guillermo Wellman Carpio, current Magistrate of Supreme 
Electoral Tribunal, undermined democratic processes or institutions by 
causing serious and unnecessary delays in election preparations and 
results tabulation for his personal benefit and allowing Chinese malign 
influence during the Salvadoran elections.

[[Page 36175]]

Guatemala

    Gustavo Adolfo Alejos Cambara, former Guatemalan presidential chief 
of staff, engaged in significant corruption by facilitating payments to 
congressional representatives and judges on Guatemala's Supreme Court 
of Justice (CSJ) in order to inappropriately influence the judicial 
selection process for magistrates to the CSJ and Court of Appeals and 
secure his future release from prison and the dismissal of corruption 
charges. He is designated under the Global Magnitsky sanctions program 
and Section 7031(c) for involvement in significant corruption.
    Felipe Alejos Lorenzana, former first secretary of the Guatemalan 
Congress, has engaged in significant corruption. While acting in his 
official capacity, Mr. Alejos was involved in corrupt acts to enrich 
himself, while also seriously harming U.S. businesses' international 
economic activity. He is designated under the Global Magnitsky 
sanctions program and Section 7031(c) for involvement in significant 
corruption.
    Delia Bac Alvarado, former congressional representative, engaged in 
significant corruption through her misuse of public funds for personal 
benefit. She is designated under Section 7031(c) for involvement in 
significant corruption.
    Florencio Carrascoza Gamez, current mayor of Joyabaj, undermined 
democratic processes or institutions by intimidating and unjustly 
imprisoning political opponents.
    Alvaro Colom Caballeros, former president, engaged in significant 
corruption when he participated in fraud and embezzlement involving a 
new bus system in Guatemala City known as Transurbano.
    Manuel Duarte Barrera, currently on the Supreme Court, has 
undermined democratic processes or institutions by abusing his 
authority to inappropriately influence and manipulate the appointment 
of judges to high court positions.
    Boris Roberto Espana Caceres, current congressional representative 
in the Guatemalan Congress, engaged in significant corruption when he 
participated in influence peddling and bribery.
    Mario Amilcar Estrada Orellana, former congressional 
representative, engaged in significant corruption and was sentenced by 
U.S. courts for seeking millions from Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel to 
finance political campaigns.
    Raul Amilcar Falla Ovalle, a lawyer for the nongovernmental 
organization (NGO) Fundacion Contra el Terrorismo (Foundation Against 
Terrorism--FCT), attempted to delay or obstruct criminal proceedings 
against former military officials who had committed acts of violence, 
harassment, or intimidation against governmental and nongovernmental 
corruption investigators.
    Moises Eduardo Galindo Ruiz, an attorney with the NGO FCT, 
attempted to delay or obstruct criminal proceedings against former 
military officials who had committed acts of violence, harassment, or 
intimidation against governmental and nongovernmental corruption 
investigators, as well as the work of the Special Prosecutor's Office 
Against Impunity (FECI).
    Juan Carlos Godinez Rodriguez, lawyer and former member of a 
congressional commission in charge of selecting Supreme Court 
magistrates, undermined democratic processes or institutions by abusing 
his authority to inappropriately influence and manipulate the 
appointment of judges to high court positions.
    Gustavo Adolfo Herrera Castillo, political operative and 
businessman, undermined democratic processes or institutions by abusing 
his authority to inappropriately influence and manipulate the 
appointment of judges to high court positions.
    Ricardo Rafael Mendez Ruiz Valdez, the founder and legal 
representative of the NGO FCT, attempted to delay or obstruct criminal 
proceedings against former military officials who had committed acts of 
violence, harassment, or intimidation against governmental and 
nongovernmental corruption investigators.
    Mynor Mauricio Moto Morataya, selected in January 2021 to fill a 
vacant seat on the country's Constitutional Court, undermined processes 
or institutions and engaged in significant corruption when he 
obstructed justice and received bribes in return for a favorable legal 
decision.
    Alejandro Jorge Sinbaldi Aparicio, former minister of 
communications, infrastructure, and housing, engaged in significant 
corruption when he participated in bribery and illegal electoral 
financing, and the laundering of the proceeds of corruption for 
personal gain. He is designated under Section 7031(c) for involvement 
in significant corruption.
    Guillermo Estuardo de Jesus Sosa Rodriguez, former vice minister of 
communications, engaged in significant corruption when he participated 
in bribery schemes, including involvement in a criminal structure that 
pressured, collected, and deposited bribes from state contractors in 
exchange for personal benefits.
    Blanca Aida Stalling Davila, former Supreme Court Justice, engaged 
in significant corruption by participating in bribery schemes and 
inappropriately influencing the judicial branch. She is designated 
under Section 7031(c) for involvement in significant corruption.
    Elder de Jes[uacute]s S[uacute]chite Vargas, former minister of 
culture, engaged in significant corruption related to government 
contracts and influence peddling for personal gain.
    Jorge Estuardo Vargas Morales, current congressional 
representative, engaged in significant corruption and undermined 
democratic processes or institutions when he engaged in bribery, 
coercion, and influence peddling.
    Nester Mauricio Vasquez Pimentel, currently on the Supreme Court, 
has undermined democratic processes or institutions by abusing his 
authority to inappropriately influence and manipulate the appointment 
of judges to high court positions.

Honduras

    Gustavo Alberto Perez, current congressional representative, has 
engaged in significant corruption. He was indicted in the Arca Abierta 
MACCIH-investigated corruption case for embezzling $800,000 from 
various government agencies.
    Marco Antonio Bogran Corrales, former director of INVEST-H, engaged 
in significant corruption by misappropriating public funds during the 
COVID-19 pandemic.
    Rosa Elena Bonilla de Lobo, former first lady, engaged in 
significant corruption through fraud and misappropriation of public 
funds.
    Augusto Domingo Cruz Asensio, former member of congress, engaged in 
significant corruption by misappropriating funds from the public 
Generacion employment program to personal accounts.
    Jose Celin Discua Elvir, current congressional representative, 
engaged in significant corruption when he misappropriated funds from 
the Secretariat of Agriculture to political campaigns.
    Rodolfo Irias Navas, current congressional representative, engaged 
in significant corruption when he misappropriated funds from the 
Secretariat of Agriculture to political campaigns.
    Eleazar Alexander Juarez Sarabia, former member of congress, 
engaged in significant corruption by misappropriating funds from a 
public pest control program in his home

[[Page 36176]]

department of Valle to his personal accounts.
    Jose Porfirio ``Pepe'' Lobo Sosa, former president of Honduras, 
engaged in significant corruption while president when he accepted 
bribes from the narco-trafficking organization Los Cachiros in exchange 
for political favors.
    Gladys Aurora Lopez, member of the Honduran National Congress 
Executive Board, engaged in significant corruption. He was indicted in 
the Arca Abierta MACCIH-investigated corruption case for embezzling 
$800,000 from various government agencies.
    Miguel Edgardo Martinez Pineda, current congressional 
representative engaged in significant corruption. He was indicted in 
the Pandora MACCIH corruption case in June 2018 for misappropriating 
$12.5 million in public funds from the Secretariat of Agriculture to 
political campaigns for personal gain.
    Sara Ismela Medina Galo, member of congress, obstructed 
investigations into corruption in her role as Secretary of Congress.
    Oscar Najera, current congressional representative, engaged in 
significant corruption related to the Cachiros narcotrafficking 
organization. He was designated under Section 7031(c) for involvement 
in significant corruption.
    Hector Enrique Padilla Hernandez, former member of congress, 
engaged in significant corruption by misappropriating funds from the 
publicly funded Limpieza de Solares y Calles development project in his 
home department of Choluteca to his personal accounts.
    Milton Jesus Puerto Oseguera, current congressional representative, 
engaged in significant corruption. He was indicted in the Arca Abierta 
MACCIH-investigated corruption case for embezzling $800,000 from 
various government agencies.
    Audelia Rodriguez Rodrigo, current member of congress, engaged in 
significant corruption by misappropriating funds from the publicly 
funded Limpieza de Solares y Calles development project to her personal 
accounts.
    Dennys Antonio Sanchez Fernandez, current member of congress, 
engaged in significant corruption by misappropriating funds from a 
public pest control program in his home department of Santa Barbara to 
his personal accounts.
    Elvin Ernesto Santo Ordonez, current congressional representative, 
engaged in significant corruption when he misappropriated funds from 
the Secretariat of Agriculture to political campaigns.
    Juan Carlos Valenzuela Molina, current congressional 
representative. He was indicted in the Arca Abierta MACCIH-investigated 
corruption case for embezzling $800,000 from various government 
agencies.
    Elden Vasquez, current congressional representative, engaged in 
significant corruption through the misappropriation of $12.5 million 
from the Secretariat of Agriculture to political campaigns for his 
personal gain. He was indicted in the Pandora MACCIH-investigated 
corruption case in June 2018.
    Welsy Milena Vasquez Lopez, current congressional representative, 
engaged in significant corruption including embezzlement and 
misappropriation of public funds for personal gain. He was indicted in 
the Arca Abierta MACCIH-investigated corruption case for embezzling 
$800,000 from various government agencies.
    Roman Villeda Aguilar, member of congress, obstructed 
investigations into corruption, which resulted in the dismissal of an 
embezzlement case against several congressman who were under 
investigation for redirecting money to a fake NGO.

    Dated: June 30, 2021.
Brian P. McKeon,
Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources.
[FR Doc. 2021-14515 Filed 7-7-21; 8:45 am]
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