"The boycott was because of fears in the United States that our region could unite around decriminalizing drugs," Perez, a right-wing retired general, told reporters....
"The boycott was not because of the Salvadoran president," he said. "The United States used the position of the Salvadoran president to force the boycott because they believe that we could unite around decriminalization." (Reuters)
I wonder if people really think that the US controls Salvadoran President Mauricio Funes. The US made Funes remove Minister of Justice and Public Security Manuel Melgar. The US is imposing militarization on El Salvador's approach to crime. After saying that he was open to a discussion on decriminalizing drugs, Funes changed his tune because of US pressure. The US forced Funes to boycott last week's meeting in Guatemala. Do people have such little respect for Funes?
And Daniel Ortega? The US allegedly convinced him not to go as well? I read somewhere that it might have been because Nicaragua is one of a few countries (El Salvador is another) whose citizens residing in the US benefit from Temporary Protected Status (TPS). There seems to be only about 3,000 Nicaraguans that benefit from TPS. Doesn't really sound like a persuasive argument to me. And I don't remember Ortega being a guy that jumps when the US says jump.
And Daniel Ortega? The US allegedly convinced him not to go as well? I read somewhere that it might have been because Nicaragua is one of a few countries (El Salvador is another) whose citizens residing in the US benefit from Temporary Protected Status (TPS). There seems to be only about 3,000 Nicaraguans that benefit from TPS. Doesn't really sound like a persuasive argument to me. And I don't remember Ortega being a guy that jumps when the US says jump.
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