COFOA Tells Congress Members about Impact of Drug Policy On El Salvador

Anglican Bishop Martin Barahona, Evangelical Pastor Freddy Sergovia, and COFOA staff Aleida Almendarez were members of a delegation with the Caravan for Life, Justice and Peace that met with Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-TX), Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) and Sen. Timothy M. Kaine (D-VA) in Washington D.C. to share how the failed war on drugs continues to drive violence and migration in El Salvador. The $750 million allocated by Congress through the Alliance for Progress Plan focuses too much on strengthening security policies and preventing Salvadorans’ migration. Early results seem to be an escalating war between police and gangs. Poor communities in need of new opportunities are not seeing the resources required to prevent migration. The Caravan for Life, Peace and Justice travelled through Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and the United States, bringing the stories of thousands of people to the United Nations Special Session on Drug Policy.