Report to Congress Pursuant to the United States-Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act, 1621-1622 [2024-00346]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 7 / Wednesday, January 10, 2024 / Notices C. Self-Regulatory Organization’s Statement on Comments on the Proposed Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others The Exchange neither solicited nor received comments on the proposed rule change. III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for Commission Action The foregoing rule change has become effective pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act 15 and Rule 19b–4(f)(2) 16 thereunder. At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or disapproved. IV. Solicitation of Comments Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: submission, all subsequent amendments, all written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for website viewing and printing in the Commission’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available for inspection and copying at the principal office of the Exchange. Do not include personal identifiable information in submissions; you should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly. We may redact in part or withhold entirely from publication submitted material that is obscene or subject to copyright protection. All submissions should refer to file number SR–CboeEDGX–2023–082 and should be submitted on or before January 31, 2024. For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, pursuant to delegated authority.17 Sherry R. Haywood, Assistant Secretary. [FR Doc. 2024–00284 Filed 1–9–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P Electronic Comments • Use the Commission’s internet comment form (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml); or • Send an email to rule-comments@ sec.gov. Please include File Number SR– CboeEDGX–2023–082 on the subject line. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Paper Comments • Send paper comments in triplicate to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549–1090. All submissions should refer to File Number SR–CboeEDGX–2023–082. This file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on the Commission’s internet website (https://www.sec.gov/ rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the number of increments away from the national best bid or offer (‘‘NBBO’’) at the time the order is received). 15 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(3)(A)(ii). 16 17 CFR 240.19b–4(f)(2). VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:40 Jan 09, 2024 Jkt 262001 DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice: 12297] Report to Congress Pursuant to the United States—Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act ACTION: Notice of report. This document provides an update to the Department of State’s report to Congress on July 19, 2023, regarding foreign persons who are determined to have knowingly engaged in actions that undermine democratic processes or institutions, significant corruption, or obstruction of investigation into such acts of corruption in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras pursuant to the United States—Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act, as amended. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Report to Congress on Foreign Persons who have Knowingly Engaged in Actions that Undermine Democratic Processes or Institutions, or in Significant SUMMARY: 17 17 PO 00000 CFR 200.30–3(a)(12). Frm 00113 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 1621 Corruption, or in Obstruction of Investigations into Such Acts of Corruption, in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua Pursuant to Section 353(b) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2021 (Div. FF, Pub. L. 116–260, as amended) (Section 353) Consistent with section 353(b) of the United States—Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act (Div. FF, Pub. L. 116–260) (the Act), as amended, 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. This document provides an update to the Department of State’s report to Congress on July 19, 2023. Section 353(b) requires the submission of a report that identifies the following persons in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua: foreign persons who the President has determined have knowingly engaged (1) in actions that undermine democratic processes or institutions; (2) in significant corruption; and (3) 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. On November 10, 2021, the President signed the Reinforcing Nicaragua’s Adherence to Conditions for Electoral Reform (RENACER) Act, adding Nicaragua to the countries within the scope of Section 353. On June 21, 2021, the President delegated his authority under section 353 to the Secretary of State. Under section 353, foreign persons identified in the report submitted to Congress are generally ineligible for visas and admission to the United States and any current visa shall be revoked and any other valid visa or entry documentation cancelled. Consistent with section 353(g), this report will be published in the Federal Register. This report includes individuals who the Secretary has determined have engaged in the relevant activity based upon credible information. The Department will continue to review the individuals listed in the report and consider all available tools to deter and disrupt corrupt and undemocratic activity in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The Department also continues to actively E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM 10JAN1 1622 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 7 / Wednesday, January 10, 2024 / Notices review additional credible information and allegations concerning corruption or undemocratic activity and to utilize all applicable authorities, as appropriate, to ensure corrupt or undemocratic officials are denied safe haven in the United States. El Salvador Ricardo Gomez, President Commissioner of the Institute for Access to Public Information, undermined democratic processes or institutions by purposefully and wrongfully blocking access to public information through his position as President Commissioner at the Institute for Access to Public Information. Gerardo Guerrero, commissioner of the Institute for Access to Public Information, undermined democratic processes or institutions by purposefully and wrongfully blocking access to public information through his position as a Commissioner at the Institute for Access to Public Information. Andre´s Gre´gori Rodrı´guez, commissioner of the Institute for Access to Public Information, undermined democratic processes or institutions by purposefully and wrongfully blocking access to public information through his position as a Commissioner at the Institute for Access to Public Information. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Honduras Ricardo Arturo Salgado Bonilla, Current Minister of Strategic Planning, undermined democratic processes or institutions by directing the LIBRE party’s coordinated efforts through party loyalist groups (‘‘colectivos’’) to suppress dissent by violently intimidating opposition legislators calling for a legislative session on October 31, 2023. Mohammad Yusuf Amdani Bai, a private businessman, engaged in significant corruption by bribing Honduran Supreme Court officials to rule in favor of his business in a private lawsuit. Cristian Adolfo Sa´nchez, engaged in significant corruption by participating in a scheme that defrauded the Honduran government of more than $300,000, and colluded with Ministry of Health officials to improperly award government contracts. Guatemala Leonor Eugenia Morales Lazo, current prosecutor, undermined democratic processes or institutions by leading a politically-motivated investigation to cast doubt on certified election results to disrupt the presidential transition. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:40 Jan 09, 2024 Jkt 262001 Noe Nehemı´as Rivera Vasquez, current prosecutor, undermined democratic processes or institutions by bringing politically motivated charges against justice actors fighting corruption and impunity. Pedro Otto Hernandez Gonzalez, current prosecutor, undermined democratic processes or institutions by participating in a politically-motivated investigation to cast doubt on certified election results to disrupt the presidential transition. Silvia Patricia Valdes Quezada, a former Supreme Court of Justice magistrate, undermined democratic processes or institutions by participating in the ‘‘Parallel Commissions’’ scheme to stack the Supreme Court and Appellate Courts with corrupt judges. Nicaragua Gloria Maria Saavedra Corrales, Judge in the Tenth Criminal District Court of Hearings of Managua, undermined democratic processes or institutions by using her position and authority within the Nicaraguan judicial system to knowingly facilitate a coordinated campaign to suppress dissent by confiscating property from the Jesuit Central American University without a legal basis, in order to install a regimefriendly administration. Maribel del Socorro Duriez Gonza´lez, President of Nicaragua’s National Council for Evaluation and Accreditation (CNEA), undermined democratic processes or institutions by taking part in a coordinated campaign to suppress dissent by confiscating property from the government’s political opponents, including the Central American University (UCA) and at least 25 other private Nicaraguan universities, without a legal basis, in order to install a regime-friendly administrations. Ramona Rodriguez Perez, President of Nicaragua’s National Council of Universities (CNU), undermined democratic processes or institutions by taking part in a coordinated campaign to suppress dissent by confiscating property from the government’s political opponents, including Central American University (UCA) and at least 25 other private Nicaraguan universities, without a legal basis, in order to install a regimefriendly administrations. Alejandro Enrique Genet Cruz, Rector of Casimiro Sotelo University (formerly Central American University), undermined democratic processes or institutions by taking part in a coordinated campaign to retaliate against critics of the Ortega-Murillo regime and to suppress dissent by using PO 00000 Frm 00114 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 his position to create policies that punish Casimiro Sotelo University faculty and students who do not take part in political activities for Ortega’s Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) political party. Dated: December 20, 2023. Richard Verma, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources. [FR Doc. 2024–00346 Filed 1–9–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–29–P SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD [Docket No. AB 1311 (Sub-No. 1X)] Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company—Abandonment Exemption— in Dutchess and Putnam Counties, N.Y. Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company (MNR) has filed a verified notice of exemption under 49 CFR part 1152 subpart F—Exempt Abandonments to abandon an approximately 41.1-mile rail line that runs between milepost 0.0 and milepost 71.2, in Dutchess and Putnam Counties, N.Y. (the Line).1 The Line traverses U.S. Postal Service Zip Codes 12508, 12524, 12533, 12582, 12570, 12531, 12563, 10509, and 12564. MNR has certified that: (1) no local freight or overhead traffic has moved over the Line during the past two years; (2) no formal complaint filed by a user of rail service on the Line (or by a state or local government on behalf of such user) regarding cessation of service over the Line is pending with either the Surface Transportation Board (Board) or any U.S. District Court or has been decided in favor of a complainant within the two-year period; and (3) the requirements at 49 CFR 1152.50(d)(1) (notice to government agencies) have been met. As a condition to this exemption, any employee adversely affected by the 1 When the Interstate Commerce Commission, the Board’s predecessor, authorized MNR to acquire the Line in 1995, it exempted MNR from most of the provisions of Subtitle IV of Title 49 of the U.S. Code and authorized MNR to abandon the Line subject to the future discontinuance of trackage rights then held by Danbury Terminal Railroad Company. Metro-N. Commuter R.R.—Exemption—from 49 U.S.C. Subtitle IV., FD 32639 (Sub-No. 1), slip op. at 1 (STB served Nov. 22, 2023). See also Metro-N. Commuter R.R.—Acquis. Exemption—the Maybrook Line, FD 32639 et al., slip op. at 3–4 (ICC served Jan. 13, 1995). MNR filed a petition seeking partial revocation of the Subtitle IV exemption to permit MNR to file for abandonment authority and ultimately pursue interim trail use/railbanking of a rail line under the National Trails System Act (Trails Act), 16 U.S.C. 1247(d), and 49 CFR 1152.29. Metro-N. Commuter R.R., FD 36239 (Sub-No. 1), slip op. at 1 (STB served Nov. 22, 2023). The Board granted that petition on November 22, 2023. Id. E:\FR\FM\10JAN1.SGM 10JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 10, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1621-1622]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-00346]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 12297]


Report to Congress Pursuant to the United States--Northern 
Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act

ACTION: Notice of report.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document provides an update to the Department of State's 
report to Congress on July 19, 2023, regarding foreign persons who are 
determined to have knowingly engaged in actions that undermine 
democratic processes or institutions, significant corruption, or 
obstruction of investigation into such acts of corruption in El 
Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras pursuant to the United States--
Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act, as amended.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Report to Congress on Foreign Persons who 
have Knowingly Engaged in Actions that Undermine Democratic Processes 
or Institutions, or in Significant Corruption, or in Obstruction of 
Investigations into Such Acts of Corruption, in El Salvador, Guatemala, 
Honduras, and Nicaragua Pursuant to Section 353(b) of the Department of 
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 
2021
    (Div. FF, Pub. L. 116-260, as amended) (Section 353)
    Consistent with section 353(b) of the United States--Northern 
Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act (Div. FF, Pub. L. 116-260) (the Act), 
as amended, 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.
    This document provides an update to the Department of State's 
report to Congress on July 19, 2023. Section 353(b) requires the 
submission of a report that identifies the following persons in El 
Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua: foreign persons who the 
President has determined have knowingly engaged (1) in actions that 
undermine democratic processes or institutions; (2) in significant 
corruption; and (3) 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. On November 10, 2021, the 
President signed the Reinforcing Nicaragua's Adherence to Conditions 
for Electoral Reform (RENACER) Act, adding Nicaragua to the countries 
within the scope of Section 353. On June 21, 2021, the President 
delegated his authority under section 353 to the Secretary of State.
    Under section 353, foreign persons identified in the report 
submitted to Congress are generally ineligible for visas and admission 
to the United States and any current visa shall be revoked and any 
other valid visa or entry documentation cancelled. Consistent with 
section 353(g), this report will be published in the Federal Register.
    This report includes individuals who the Secretary has determined 
have engaged in the relevant activity based upon credible information. 
The Department will continue to review the individuals listed in the 
report and consider all available tools to deter and disrupt corrupt 
and undemocratic activity in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and 
Nicaragua. The Department also continues to actively

[[Page 1622]]

review additional credible information and allegations concerning 
corruption or undemocratic activity and to utilize all applicable 
authorities, as appropriate, to ensure corrupt or undemocratic 
officials are denied safe haven in the United States.

El Salvador

    Ricardo Gomez, President Commissioner of the Institute for Access 
to Public Information, undermined democratic processes or institutions 
by purposefully and wrongfully blocking access to public information 
through his position as President Commissioner at the Institute for 
Access to Public Information.
    Gerardo Guerrero, commissioner of the Institute for Access to 
Public Information, undermined democratic processes or institutions by 
purposefully and wrongfully blocking access to public information 
through his position as a Commissioner at the Institute for Access to 
Public Information.
    Andr[eacute]s Gr[eacute]gori Rodr[iacute]guez, commissioner of the 
Institute for Access to Public Information, undermined democratic 
processes or institutions by purposefully and wrongfully blocking 
access to public information through his position as a Commissioner at 
the Institute for Access to Public Information.

Honduras

    Ricardo Arturo Salgado Bonilla, Current Minister of Strategic 
Planning, undermined democratic processes or institutions by directing 
the LIBRE party's coordinated efforts through party loyalist groups 
(``colectivos'') to suppress dissent by violently intimidating 
opposition legislators calling for a legislative session on October 31, 
2023.
    Mohammad Yusuf Amdani Bai, a private businessman, engaged in 
significant corruption by bribing Honduran Supreme Court officials to 
rule in favor of his business in a private lawsuit.
    Cristian Adolfo S[aacute]nchez, engaged in significant corruption 
by participating in a scheme that defrauded the Honduran government of 
more than $300,000, and colluded with Ministry of Health officials to 
improperly award government contracts.

Guatemala

    Leonor Eugenia Morales Lazo, current prosecutor, undermined 
democratic processes or institutions by leading a politically-motivated 
investigation to cast doubt on certified election results to disrupt 
the presidential transition.
    Noe Nehem[iacute]as Rivera Vasquez, current prosecutor, undermined 
democratic processes or institutions by bringing politically motivated 
charges against justice actors fighting corruption and impunity.
    Pedro Otto Hernandez Gonzalez, current prosecutor, undermined 
democratic processes or institutions by participating in a politically-
motivated investigation to cast doubt on certified election results to 
disrupt the presidential transition.
    Silvia Patricia Valdes Quezada, a former Supreme Court of Justice 
magistrate, undermined democratic processes or institutions by 
participating in the ``Parallel Commissions'' scheme to stack the 
Supreme Court and Appellate Courts with corrupt judges.

Nicaragua

    Gloria Maria Saavedra Corrales, Judge in the Tenth Criminal 
District Court of Hearings of Managua, undermined democratic processes 
or institutions by using her position and authority within the 
Nicaraguan judicial system to knowingly facilitate a coordinated 
campaign to suppress dissent by confiscating property from the Jesuit 
Central American University without a legal basis, in order to install 
a regime-friendly administration.
    Maribel del Socorro Duriez Gonz[aacute]lez, President of 
Nicaragua's National Council for Evaluation and Accreditation (CNEA), 
undermined democratic processes or institutions by taking part in a 
coordinated campaign to suppress dissent by confiscating property from 
the government's political opponents, including the Central American 
University (UCA) and at least 25 other private Nicaraguan universities, 
without a legal basis, in order to install a regime-friendly 
administrations.
    Ramona Rodriguez Perez, President of Nicaragua's National Council 
of Universities (CNU), undermined democratic processes or institutions 
by taking part in a coordinated campaign to suppress dissent by 
confiscating property from the government's political opponents, 
including Central American University (UCA) and at least 25 other 
private Nicaraguan universities, without a legal basis, in order to 
install a regime-friendly administrations.
    Alejandro Enrique Genet Cruz, Rector of Casimiro Sotelo University 
(formerly Central American University), undermined democratic processes 
or institutions by taking part in a coordinated campaign to retaliate 
against critics of the Ortega-Murillo regime and to suppress dissent by 
using his position to create policies that punish Casimiro Sotelo 
University faculty and students who do not take part in political 
activities for Ortega's Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) 
political party.

    Dated: December 20, 2023.
Richard Verma,
Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources.
[FR Doc. 2024-00346 Filed 1-9-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-29-P
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