Torres Ensures Accountability for U.S. Aid to Guatemala in NDAA

Press Release

Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today passed multiple provisions in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) ensuring U.S. military aid sent to Guatemala can only be used for its intended purpose at the time of transfer.

Torres' provisions require the U.S. Secretary of Defense to certify that any vehicles transferred or sold from the United States to Guatemala be used solely for their original intended purpose. Her amendments also require the Secretary of Defense to brief relevant Congressional Committees about what specific actions s/he is taking to ensure equipment transferred to Guatemala will only be used for originally intended purposes.

This is the second year in a row that Torres successfully amended the NDAA to hold Guatemalan officials accountable for the use of U.S. military aid after American-made armored Jeeps were deployed to intimidate U.S. diplomats in Guatemala City in 2018.

Rep. Torres released the following statement:

"The United States has a vital role to play in promoting stability and the rule of law in Guatemala, but our good will must be met with accountability on the part of Guatemalan officials," Rep. Torres said. "The provisions I passed today are important steps towards ensuring American diplomats are never again targeted by our own military aid. We're sending a clear message to leaders in Guatemala that our aid is to improve the lives of their people -- not to help corrupt officials cling to power through the threat of violence.

"I will continue to push the Department of Defense to ensure American equipment given to Guatemala is returned if it is used to violate human rights and international law," Torres added. "Both the American people and the people of Guatemala deserve nothing less."

Congresswoman Torres was born in Guatemala and is the only Central American currently serving in Congress. As Co-Chair of the Central American Caucus, she has been outspoken about addressing the misuse of U.S. military aid by corrupt Guatemalan officials.

On December 13, 2018, Torres introduced the Guatemala Rule of Law Accountability Act that would require the U.S. President to impose sanctions on individuals who have undermined the rule of law in Guatemala, including the use of U.S.-provided Jeeps to intimidate our diplomats.

On January 17, 2019, Torres followed that bill by helping to lead 46 lawmakers in urging President Trump to impose targeted sanctions against corrupt officials and suspend assistance to Guatemala's central government.

And on December 11, 2019, Torres amended the FY2020 NDAA to require certification that military aid sent to Guatemala could only be used for its intended purpose.

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