22 USC 2275 - Authorization of appropriations

Collapse to view only § 2275. Authorization of appropriations

§ 2271. Statement of policy
§ 2272. Conditions on furnishing assistance
§ 2273. Peace process in Central America
§ 2274. Economic assistance coordination
§ 2275. Authorization of appropriations
§ 2276. “Central American countries” defined
§ 2277. Strategy to advance prosperity, combat corruption, strengthen democratic governance, and improve civilian security in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras
§ 2277a. Targeted sanctions to fight corruption in El Salvador, Guatemala,,

§ 2271. Statement of policy

(a) Congressional findingsThe Congress finds that—

(1) the building of democracy, the restoration of peace, the improvement of living conditions, and the application of equal justice under law in Central America are important to the interests of the United States and the community of American States; and

(2) the interrelated issues of social and human progress, economic growth, political reform, and regional security must be effectively dealt with to assure a democratic and economically and politically secure Central America.

(b) Policy requirements

(1) The achievement of democracy, respect for human rights, peace, and equitable economic growth depends primarily on the cooperation and the human and economic resources of the people and governments of Central America. The Congress recognizes that the United States can make a significant contribution to such peaceful and democratic development through a consistent and coherent policy which includes a long-term commitment of assistance. This policy should be designed to support actively—

(A) democracy and political reform, including opening the political process to all members of society;

(B) full observance of internationally recognized human rights, including free elections, freedom of the press, freedom of association, and the elimination of all human rights abuses;

(C) leadership development, including training and educational programs to improve public administration and the administration of justice;

(D) land reform, reform in tax systems, encouragement of private enterprise and individual initiative, creation of favorable investment climates, curbing corruption where it exists, and spurring balanced trade;

(E) the establishment of the rule of law and an effective judicial system; and

(F) the termination of extremist violence by both the left and the right as well as vigorous action to prosecute those guilty of crimes and the prosecution to the extent possible of past offenders.

(2) The policy described in paragraph (1) should also promote equitable economic growth and development, including controlling the flight of capital and the effective use of foreign assistance and adhering to approved programs for economic stabilization and fiscal responsibility. Finally, this policy should foster dialog and negotiations—

(A) to achieve peace based upon the objectives of democratization, reduction of armament, an end to subversion, and the withdrawal of foreign military forces and advisers; and

(B) to provide a security shield against violence and intimidation.

(3) It is the purpose of this part to establish the statutory framework and to authorize the appropriations and financing necessary to carry out the policy described in this section.

(Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, § 461, as added Pub. L. 99–83, title VII, § 701, Aug. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 234.)

§ 2272. Conditions on furnishing assistance

The President shall ensure that assistance authorized by this chapter and the Arms Export Control Act [22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.] to Central American countries is furnished in a manner which fosters demonstrated progress toward and commitment to the objectives set forth in section 2271 of this title. Where necessary to achieve this purpose, the President shall impose conditions on the furnishing of such assistance. In carrying out this section, the President shall consult with the Congress in regard to progress toward the objectives set forth in section 2271 of this title, and any conditions imposed on the furnishing of assistance in furtherance of those objectives.

(Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, § 462, as added Pub. L. 99–83, title VII, § 701, Aug. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 235.)

§ 2273. Peace process in Central America

The Congress—

(1) strongly supports the initiatives taken by the Contadora group and the resulting Document of Objectives which has been agreed to by Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua and which sets forth a framework for negotiating a peaceful settlement to the conflict and turmoil in the region; and

(2) finds that the United States should provide such assistance and support as may be appropriate in helping to reach comprehensive and verifiable final agreements, based on the Document of Objectives, which will ensure peaceful and enduring solutions to the Central American conflicts.

(Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, § 463, as added Pub. L. 99–83, title VII, § 701, Aug. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 235.)

§ 2274. Economic assistance coordination

(a) Congressional findings

(b) Sense of Congress; Central American Development Organization; establishment, etc.It is the sense of the Congress that—

(1) the President should enter into negotiations with the countries of Central America to establish a Central American Development Organization (hereafter in this section referred to as the “Organization”) to help provide a continuous and coherent approach to the development of the Central American region; and

(2) the establishment of the Organization should be based upon the following principles:

(A) Participation in the Organization should be open to the United States, other donors, and those Central American countries that commit themselves to, among other things, respecting internationally recognized human rights, building democracy, and encouraging equitable economic growth through policy reforms.

(B) The Organization should be structured to include representatives from both the public and private sectors, including representatives from the labor, agriculture, and business communities.

(C) The Organization should meet periodically to carry out the functions described in subparagraphs (D) and (E) of this paragraph and should be supported by a limited professional secretariat.

(D) The Organization should make recommendations affecting Central American countries on such matters as—

(i) political, economic, and social development objectives, including the strengthening of democratic pluralism and the safeguarding of internationally recognized human rights;

(ii) mobilization of resources and external assistance needs; and

(iii) reform of economic policies and structures.

(E) The Organization should have the capacity for monitoring country performance on recommendations issued in accordance with subparagraph (D) of this paragraph and for evaluating progress toward meeting such country objectives.

(F) To the maximum extent practicable, the United States should follow the recommendations of the Organization in disbursing bilateral economic assistance for any Central American country. No more than 75 percent of such United States assistance in any fiscal year should be disbursed until the recommendations of the Organization for that fiscal year have been made final and communicated to the donor countries. The limitation on disbursements contained in the preceding sentence should apply only to recommendations made final and communicated to donor countries prior to the fourth quarter of such fiscal year. The United States representative to the Organization should urge other donor countries to similarly implement the recommendations of the Organization.

(G) The administrator of the agency primarily responsible for administering subchapter I of this chapter, or his designee, should represent the United States Government in the Organization and should carry out his functions in that capacity under the continuous supervision and general direction of the Secretary of State.

(d) Preparation and transmission of proposal for implementation of provisions

(1) The administrator of the agency primarily responsible for administering subchapter I of this chapter, under the supervision and direction of the Secretary of State, shall prepare a detailed proposal to carry out this section and shall keep the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate fully and currently informed concerning the development of this proposal.

(2) The President shall transmit to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a copy of the text of any agreement, which he proposes to sign, that would provide for the establishment of and United States participation in the Organization no less than sixty days prior to his signature. During that sixty-day period there shall be full and formal consultations with and review by those committees in accordance with procedures applicable to reprogramming notifications pursuant to section 2394–1 of this title.

(Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, § 464, as added Pub. L. 99–83, title VII, § 701, Aug. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 235.)

§ 2275. Authorization of appropriations

(a) Fiscal years 1988 and 1989

(b) Transfer of funds

(Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, § 465, as added Pub. L. 99–83, title VII, § 701, Aug. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 237.)

§ 2276. “Central American countries” defined

For the purposes of this part, the term “Central American countries” includes Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and regional programs which benefit such countries.

(Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, § 466, as added Pub. L. 99–83, title VII, § 701, Aug. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 237.)

§ 2277. Strategy to advance prosperity, combat corruption, strengthen democratic governance, and improve civilian security in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras

(a) Elements

(b) ConsiderationIn developing the strategy required under this section, the Secretary of State should consider the following priorities:

(1) Promoting economic prosperity, including by—

(A) supporting market-based solutions to eliminate constraints to inclusive economic growth;

(B) addressing the underlying causes of poverty and inequality;

(C) responding to immediate humanitarian needs by improving humanitarian outcomes, including through access to sanitation, hygiene, and shelter, and by enabling the provision of health resources;

(D) supporting conservation and community resilience and strengthening community preparedness for natural disasters;

(E) identifying, as appropriate, a role for relevant United States agencies and the United States private sector in supporting efforts to increase private sector investment and advance economic prosperity; and

(F) improving domestic resource mobilization, including by strengthening tax collection and enforcement and legal arbitration mechanisms.

(2) Combating corruption, including by—

(A) strengthening the capacity of national justice systems and attorneys generals 1

1 So in original.

to identify and prosecute money laundering and other financial crimes and breaking up financial holdings of organized criminal syndicates, including illegally acquired lands and proceeds from illegal activities;

(B) strengthening special prosecutorial offices and financial institutions to conduct asset forfeitures and criminal analysis, and to combat corruption, money laundering, financial crimes, extortion, and human rights crimes;

(C) implementing transparent, merit-based selection processes for prosecutors and judges and the development of professional and merit-based civil services;

(D) establishing or strengthening methods, procedures for internal and external control mechanisms for the security and police services and judiciary; and

(E) supporting anticorruption efforts through bilateral assistance and complementary support through multilateral anticorruption mechanisms when necessary.

(3) Advancing democratic governance, including by—

(A) strengthening government institutions at the local and national levels to provide services and respond to citizen needs through transparent, inclusive, and democratic processes;

(B) strengthening access to information laws and reforming laws that currently limit access to information;

(D) ensuring that threats and attacks on journalists, labor leaders, human rights defenders, and other members of civil society are fully investigated and perpetrators are held accountable; and

(E) strengthening electoral institutions and processes to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections.

(4) Improving security conditions, including by—

(A) implementing the Central America Regional Security Initiative;

(B) increasing the professionalization of security services, including the civilian police and military units;

(C) combating the illicit activities of transnational criminal organizations through support to fully vetted elements of attorneys general offices, appropriate government institutions, and security services; and

(D) enhancing the capacity of relevant security services and attorneys general to support counternarcotics efforts and combat human trafficking, forcible recruitment of children and youth by gangs, gender-based violence, and other illicit activities, including trafficking of wildlife, and natural resources.

(d) BenchmarksThe strategy required under this section shall include annual benchmarks to track the strategy’s progress in curbing irregular migration from the region to the United States and improving conditions in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras by measuring progress in key areas, including—

(1) reducing poverty and unemployment, increasing private sector investment, responding to immediate humanitarian needs, sustainably reintegrating returnees, supporting conservation and community resilience, and addressing forced displacement in accordance with the priorities outlined in subsection (b)(1);

(2) strengthening national justice systems and attorneys generals,1 supporting multilateral anticorruption mechanisms, identifying and prosecuting money laundering and other financial crimes, breaking up financial holdings of organized criminal syndicates, and advancing judicial integrity and investigative capacity of local authorities in accordance with the priorities outlined in subsection (b)(2);

(3) strengthening government institutions at the local and national levels to provide services and respond to citizen needs through transparent, inclusive, and democratic processes, promoting human rights, building the capacity of independent media, developing the capacity of civil society to conduct oversight, affording legal protections for human rights defenders and members of civil society, and strengthening electoral institutions in accordance with priorities outlined in subsection (b)(3); and

(4) implementing the objectives stated under the Central America Regional Security Initiative and building the capacity of civilian security services in accordance with the priorities outlined in subsection (b)(4).

(e) Public diplomacy

(f) Annual progress updates

(g) Public availability

(h) DefinitionIn this section, the term “appropriate congressional committees” means—

(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and

(2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

(Pub. L. 116–260, div. FF, title III, § 352, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 3127.)

§ 2277a. Targeted sanctions to fight corruption in El Salvador, Guatemala,,1

1 So in original.

Honduras, and Nicaragua

(a) Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that—

(1) corruption in El Salvador, Guatemala,,1 Honduras, and Nicaragua by private citizens and select officials in local, regional, and Federal governments significantly damages the economies of such countries and deprives citizens of opportunities;

(2) corruption in El Salvador, Guatemala,,1 Honduras, and Nicaragua is facilitated and carried out not only by private citizens and select officials from those countries but also in many instances by individuals from third countries; and

(3) imposing targeted sanctions on individuals from throughout the world and particularly in the Western Hemisphere who are engaged in acts of significant corruption that impact El Salvador, Guatemala,,1 Honduras, and Nicaragua or obstruction of investigations into such acts of corruption will benefit the citizens and governments of such countries.

(b) Report required

Not later than 180 days after December 27, 2020, and not less frequently than annually thereafter, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees an unclassified report with classified annex if necessary that identifies each foreign person who the President determines to have knowingly engaged in actions that undermine democratic processes or institutions, or in significant corruption or obstruction of investigations into such acts of corruption in El Salvador, Guatemala,,1 Honduras, and Nicaragua, including the following:

(1) Corruption related to government contracts.

(2) Bribery and extortion.

(3) The facilitation or transfer of the proceeds of corruption, including through money laundering.

(4) Acts of violence, harassment, or intimidation directed at governmental and nongovernmental corruption investigators.

(d) Sanctions described

(1) In general

The sanctions described in this subsection are the following:

(A) Ineligibility for visas and admission to the United States

In the case of a foreign person who is an individual, such foreign person is—

(i) inadmissible to the United States;

(ii) ineligible to receive a visa or other documentation to enter the United States; and

(iii) otherwise ineligible to be admitted or paroled into the United States or to receive any other benefit under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).

(B) Current visas revoked

(i) In general

(ii) Effect of revocation

A revocation under clause (i) shall—

(I) take effect immediately; and(II) automatically cancel any other valid visa or entry documentation that is in the foreign person’s possession.

(2) Exception to comply with international obligations

(e) National security waiver

The President may waive the application of the sanctions under subsection (c) 3

3 So in original. Probably should be “subsection (d)”.

if the President—

(1) determines that such a waiver is in the national security interest of the United States; and

(2) submits to the appropriate congressional committees within 15 days after such determination a notice of and justification for the waiver.

(f) Termination

(g) Public availability

(h) Definitions

In this section, the term “appropriate congressional committees” means—

(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;

(2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives.

(Pub. L. 116–260, div. FF, title III, § 353, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 3129; Pub. L. 117–54, § 7, Nov. 10, 2021, 135 Stat. 418.)