EL SALVADOR: MIDTERM CABINET SHUFFLE ADDRESSES SECURITY CONCERNS

id: 88838
date: 12/8/2006 21:48
refid: 06SANSALVADOR2922
origin: Embassy San Salvador
classification: CONFIDENTIAL
destination:
header:
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSN #2922 3422148
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 082148Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4629
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY


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C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN SALVADOR 002922
 
SIPDIS
 
SIPDIS
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2016
TAGS: ES, PGOV, PREL
SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR:  MIDTERM CABINET SHUFFLE ADDRESSES
SECURITY CONCERNS
 
 
Classified By: Charge Michael A. Butler, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
 
1. (C)  SUMMARY:  Halfway through his five-year term,
President Saca has created a new Ministry of Public Security
and Justice to combat the nation's spiraling violent crime.
Rene Figueroa, until now Minister of Governance, will head
the new ministry, while former Vice Minister Aguilar will
remain at the now-reduced Ministry of Governance, overseeing
a primarily non-crime-related portfolio.  The current head of
the nation's port authority (CEPA) will lead the new GOES
entity charged with the implementation of El Salvador's
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact.  Cabinet
changes also occured at the Ministry of Public Works and
Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.  Saca seems
keen to appear proactive in taking action against crime,
although his selection of Figueroa to spearhead such efforts
could put the latter's 2009 presidential bid at risk.  END
SUMMARY.
 
2. (SBU)  President Saca announced December 4 that by
executive decree, a new Ministry of Public Security and
Justice would be created by dividing the responsibilities of
the existing Ministry of Governance.  (Note:  Often referred
to as a "super-ministry", the Ministry of Governance was
created in 2001 by former President Francisco Flores by
combining the functions of what had originally been three
separate ministries: Justice, Interior, and Public
Security--the latter of which had been created by President
Calderon Sol (1994-1999).  End note.)  The Ministry of Public
Security and Justice will be financed by a $100 million World
Bank loan, and will commence operations in January under the
leadership of former Minister of Governance Rene Figueroa.
The new ministry will include oversight of the Civilian
National Police (PNC), prisons, witness protection programs,
National Anti-Drug Commission, National Public Security
Academy (ANSP), the new bilateral International Law
Enforcement Academy (ILEA), and Interpol.  The rump Ministry
of Governance, to be headed by former Vice Minister Silvia
Aguilar, will remain in charge of immigration, postal
service, firefighters, community vigilance groups, and public
events security, among other reponsibilities.
 
3. (SBU)  Vice Minister of Governance Astor Escalante will
accompany Figueroa as his Vice Minister for Public Security
and Justice, while Juan Miguel Bolanos will serve as Vice
Minister of Governance and Justice under Minister Aguilar.
(Note:  Bolanos currently serves as an ARENA Legislative
Assembly Deputy, and will seek a leave-of-absence from his
legislative office in order to assume his new position.  End
note.)  In other cabinet switches, Juan Jose Llort, who until
now headed the nation's semi-autonomous port authority
(CEPA), will assume oversight of the implementation of the
$460 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact
as head of a new GOES entity, "Fondo del Milenio"
(FOMILENIO).  Hugo Barrera, who has served as Minister of the
Environment and Natural Resources since Saca's 2004
inauguration, will take over at CEPA, while Vice Minister of
Public Works Carlos Guerrero will replace Barrera at the
Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.
 
4. (C)  COMMENT:  Figueroa underscored that the creation of
the new ministry "...demonstrates the understanding and will
of the government to dedicate a ministry one-hundred percent
to fighting crime."  While a midterm cabinet shuffle is
nothing out of the ordinary, Saca clearly wants to use the
occasion to send a signal that he is serious about addressing
the nation's staggering violent crime problem.  Given Saca's
apparent preference for Rene Figueroa as his successor in
2009, placing Figueroa in a position where he will be held
accountable for progress--or lack thereof--in fighting crime
appears to be a calculated gamble.  Figueroa must now make
significant inroads in his fight against gang-related crime
during the next two and a half years--lest he hazard his
candidacy before it is even born.  END COMMENT.
Butler

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