Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 03/2014

Will elections in El Salvador create a narcostate?

Roger F. Noriega

February 2014

American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research

Abstract

Narcotraffickers, terrorist groups, and street gangs are increasingly making inroads into Central American politics, threatening the security and stability of the region. El Salvador’s March 9 presidential runoff election, in which the corrupt and ineffective ruling party is trying to hold on to power, will affect the future of the nation and US security. The US government must denounce criminal or terrorist organizations and their supporters attempting to hijack a country’s democracy for their own gain.