Obama could postpone El Salvador trip

U.S. President Barack Obama’s planned trip to El Salvador, Brazil and Chile could be delayed if the Republican-run House of Representatives shuts down Congress after a two-week budget extension ends on March 18 – the day before Obama’s planned excursion into Latin America, The New York Times wrote.

Obama intends to meet with El Salvadoran President Mauricio Funes to discuss U.S. immigration policy and the State Department’s pledge of $200 million to renew the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) funding, according to American Quarterly. Obama’s visit comes at a time where Funes faces clashes within his own left-leaning party, according to the Canadian Foundation for the Americas. Still, a recent poll by the firm Mitofsky says Funes enjoys an approval rating just under 70 percent. The poll also said 74 percent of Salvadorans feel Obama’s trip will be beneficial.