The trade Minister of Costa Rica said that the "better governance process" in SIECA, initiated by Yolanda Mayora, had "raised antibodies" at the regional institution.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
There is no doubt that the economic future of Central America and the possibilities of development of its people are linked to regional integration, starting with all which refers to the free exchange of goods and services and the ability to be presented to the world as a single block.
But since the removal of Yolanda Mayora de Gavidia from the direction of the Central American Economic Integration Department (SIECA) and the appointment in her replacement of also of Salvadoran nationality, Ernesto Torres Chico, the integration process has stopped. The government of Costa Rica questions the appointment of Chico Torres since it was conceived not in accordance with established procedures.
The regional chambers of commerce remain concerned by the uncertainness of the situation. The Finance Ministers have not reached an agreement and left the matter to the Central American presidents, establishing a March 29th deadline.
The Federation of Central American Chambers of Commerce (FECAMCO in Spanish) demands that a new SIECA head be appointed in line with the relevant institutional guidelines.
A press release by FECAMCO states that, "the institutional foundations of Central American integration have been weakened by the failure of proper legal procedures to be followed in the appointment of the head of the Secretariat of Central American Economic Integration (SIECA)".
The Central American Chambers of Commerce Federation called to suspend financial aid to SIECA.
In replacing Yolanda Mayora at the direction of the Central American Economic Integration Department (SIECA), FECAMCO issued the following statement:
"After 50 years aiming at regional integration in Central America, recent events in the Central American Economic Integration Department and the actions of the COMIECO Ministers as well as the Presidents of the region have deeply weakened the institutional foundations of our integration, violating legal procedures and, especially, breaking the spirit of integration of the institution which oversees the progress of this historical regional unity.
Following the resignation of Yolanda Mayor, Ernesto Torres Chico was appointed director of Comieco.
The foreign ministers of El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala, and the ministers of Comieco, except Costa Rica, accepted the resignation of Mayora de Gavidia as director of the Central American Economic Integration Department (SIEC).
At El Salvador´s request, Central American governments separated Yolanda de Gavidia from her post as Director of the Central American Economic Integration Department.
Reasons for the dismissal of the former finance minister of El Salvador were not disclosed.
Of Salvadoran citizenship, Gavidia had been appointed secretary general of SIECA for a period of four years ending in 2013.
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