Former Salvadoran Presidential Candidate Sentenced for Electoral Fraud Involving Gangs

Norman Quijano, a former presidential candidate in El Salvador, has been sentenced to 13 years and 4 months in prison for electoral fraud and illicit associations. The 2nd Criminal Chamber of San Salvador found that Quijano had agreed to provide benefits to gangs in exchange for their support during the 2014 presidential elections.

The court's ruling is related to Quijano's involvement in a scheme to manipulate the electoral process through collusion with criminal organizations. The Prosecutor's Office was able to verify during the trial that Quijano met with gang members from MS13 and Barrio 18, offering them money and economic benefits in exchange for votes in the 2014 presidential elections, in which he was a candidate for the ARENA party.

According to the evidence presented by the Attorney General's Office (FGR), Quijano promised to make government investments in areas controlled by the gangs and provide at least $100,000 to the criminal groups, as long as they voted for his candidacy. Despite these efforts, the winner of the 2014 presidential election was Professor Salvador Sánchez Cerén of the FMLN party.

Why this matters: The conviction of Norman Quijano highlights the ongoing issue of corruption and the influence of criminal organizations in Salvadoran politics. It highlights the need for transparency and accountability in the electoral process to ensure fair and democratic elections.

The sentence was handed down after a trial in which Quijano was not present, as he currently enjoys immunity as a deputy owner of the Central American Parliament (Parlacen). In addition to the prison sentence, the court also disqualified Quijano from holding his current position as a Parlacen deputy. Quijano has had an arrest warrant for this case since 2022.

Key Takeaways

• Former Salvadoran presidential candidate Norman Quijano sentenced to 13 years for electoral fraud.
• Quijano colluded with gangs, offering money and benefits in exchange for votes in 2014 election.
• Quijano currently enjoys immunity as a deputy in the Central American Parliament (Parlacen).
• Court disqualified Quijano from his Parlacen deputy position in addition to the prison sentence.
• Conviction highlights corruption and criminal influence in Salvadoran politics, need for electoral transparency.