El Salvador Implements ID Card System for Safe Border Transit in Half of the Sectors Delimited by the ICJ
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Registry of Natural Persons (RNPN) began delivering special ID cards, announced the government through a press release on April 4th, to inhabitants of the border area of Dolores – Monteca, north of the department of La Unión. This area is one of the six sectors affected by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment on September 11, 1992.
This official document will enable locals to converge, transit, and move goods swiftly and safely within their respective territories. Additionally, it will facilitate their access to health and education services, as well as to programs and initiatives promoted by the Government of El Salvador aimed at addressing the needs of these compatriots and promoting their well-being and development.
“We will be delivering more than 950 ID cards in this locality, starting today in an organized manner, in compliance with the provisions of the judgment of the Hague Court and fulfilling the commitment that this administration maintains with these Salvadorans,” stated Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Adriana Mira, who chaired the activity along with RNPN President Fernando Velasco.
The diplomat also emphasized that this is the third territory where the ID card process has been initiated, with the previous ones being the localities of Goascorán – Los Amates, also in La Unión, and Las Pilas – Cayaguanca, in Chalatenango.
“We are making progress with this measure, which fills us with much emotion, as we have now reached 50% of the sectors, and in the coming days, we will extend this document to the residents of the remaining areas,” indicated the Vice Minister.
Initially, based on the registry prepared by this State department, through the El Salvador – Honduras Monitoring Commission, El Salvador section, it is projected to deliver the ID card to around 18 thousand people of all ages.
“We are very pleased with this identification, as it will allow us mobility and easier access to other services. This is support and offers many benefits (…) The vice minister was here last year and announced this measure, and today we see this promise fulfilled, which is very gratifying for us,” expressed Silvia Yanes, a native of the Dolores – Monteca sector.
This sentiment is shared by Rosa Blanco, who resides in the same locality. “We are grateful for these efforts, as the ID card will allow us to move between Honduras and El Salvador, even transport our products,” said the compatriot, who has also requested the document for her two children.
The special ID card is the result of reforms made to the Special Law for the Creation of the Immigration and Customs Identification Regime by the Legislative Assembly, at the initiative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexandra Hill.
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