Former representative of the Salvadoran ruling party is convicted of conspiracy

SAN SALVADOR – Former deputy from the ruling party Nuevas Ideas José García was sentenced to three years and six months in prison for “improper bribery”, a crime that according to the Penal Code occurs when an official receives gifts in exchange for political favors.

“In October 2021, an audio circulated on social networks where García is heard negotiating gifts in exchange for convincing a group of deputies to vote against projects discussed in the Legislative Assembly,” reported the Attorney General’s Office.

The former deputy belonged to the Nuevas Ideas bench, the political party with the majority of members in the Congress of El Salvador; and he is also the flag of the political movement of President Nayib Bukele.

Xavi Zablah Bukele, the president’s cousin and president of the formation, reacted this Monday to the court ruling: “To make it clear to those who still believe that the ‘tricks’ of the past will continue to be tolerated: EVERYTHING bad will fall by its own weight”, said on his Twitter account.

García was removed from his position in November 2021. Three months later, Congress withdrew his constitutional jurisdiction to be criminally prosecuted. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the former legislator is currently a “fugitive from justice.”

“Nuevas Ideas will not tolerate conspiracies that are against the well-being and will of our people,” Zablah Bukele said at the time.

Nuevas Ideas has been leading the Congress of El Salvador for a year and nine months. The party has 56, out of 84 deputies. In May 2021, legislators from that party promoted the removal of the constitutionalist magistrates and the attorney general of that time.

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