US troops are continuing to train El Salvadorian, Guatemalan, and Honduran military forces despite the Trump administration’s promise to cut aid to the three nations in protest of an influx of asylum seekers fleeing north in a quest for refuge in the US.
In late March, US President Donald Trump announced Washington would cut off funding to the three ‘Northern Triangle’ countries, a move that would, in part, halt efforts to train their militaries and security forces. Nearly three months later, a US State Department spokesperson told Jane’s that while it is continuing to carry out some of the previously inked contracts and plans, it has “ceased obligating new funds”.
The Defense Department initially curtailed security co-operation programmes with the three nations, but on 3 May, it resumed efforts and “restored” them to the previous programmed levels, Department of Defense spokesperson Major Chris Mitchell told Jane’s on 11 June. He did not disclose the duration of the halt, its effect, or who made the decision to reinstate the security co-operation efforts.
A US Marine with the SPMAGTF-SC assesses the repair process on a broken water valve in Trujillo, Honduras, during a 2018 deployment to Central America. Despite the Trump administration’s pledge to cut off aid to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, the SPMAGTF-SC has once again deployed to the region to help train the three nations’ militaries during the 2019 hurricane season. (US Department of Defense/Sergeant Justin Smith)
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