Inspection of Embassy San Salvador, El Salvador

Embassy San Salvador is ably led by a noncareer Ambassador who has leavened Department standard operating procedures with a welcome infusion of best practices from the private sector. The Ambassador and his newly arrived deputy chief of mission (DCM) insist on a good flow of information within the country team and take pains to ensure that the team’s members are well informed on the Ambassador’s goals and priorities. One issue of concern to post management has been the regional nature of other U.S. agency representation at post and the fact that these regional officers are not always available to respond to the Ambassador’s questions and/or requests due to their travel and other regional responsibilities. For example, there is no single Department of Homeland Security (DHS) representative who can be held accountable for all DHS activities in country. This has limited the Ambassador’s ability to resolve policy issues with the Washington leadership of DHS and its Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In particular it has limited the Ambassador’s ability to resolve policy issues relating to deportations, the most serious bilateral irritant.

The Ambassador and DCM have made it clear that morale is a high priority. For example, the Ambassador recently initiated a quality of life committee on which all segments of the mission community have representation. The committee is to identify any problematic aspect of working or living in El Salvador and provide management with proposed solutions. Morale at Embassy San Salvador is exceptionally good.

The Ambassador and DCM provide the post security program with excellent support and cooperation, and the security office has a positive reputation among mission staff members. The local guard and personal security programs are managed effectively, efficiently, and in line with Department policies

U.S. immigration and visa policies are exceptionally important to the U.S.-Salvadoran bilateral relationship. Embassy San Salvador has a well-coordinated approach to the government of El Salvador on consular issues, and the section receives strong support from mission leadership.

Embassy San Salvador is making a concerted effort to eliminate duplicative administrative support systems and deserves credit for recognizing and proactively addressing this inefficiency. The embassy’s strong management team, supported by an experienced locally employed staff, provides generally excellent service to the mission.

May 26, 2006