The US Department of State published the lists by mandate of that US law which, due to its extraterritorial and illegal nature, should be unknown by the Central American nations, experts on the subject explained.
The Engel List was approved by the US Congress in December 2020 and began to be implemented since 2021. three updates of that list have been issued so far.
According to a report by El Mundo newspaper, the first list was issued on July 1, 2021, and named 14 people: four officials close to President Nayib Bukele, including the legal secretary, the chief of staff, a minister and a director.
Two of Bukele’s former officials (Agriculture and Security), four officials or former officials from other political parties, among others, were also included in the list.
The second list was updated on September 20, 2021, including all five magistrates from the Constitutional Chamber and later, a third list containing seven names was released on July 20, 2022.
Local media and politicians assure that the updates of the list caused tension among officials of the Salvadoran Government and the US administration, while some do not hide to accuse Washington and its interference policy.
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