example.py

from __future__ import print_function
import arcpy


arcpy.env.overwriteOutput = True
arcpy.env.workspace = r"D:\Masters\GEOG_485\Lesson_3\Project3"
osmPoints = r"OSMpoints.shp"
centralAmerica = r"CentralAmerica.shp"
amenities = ['school', 'hospital', 'place_of_worship']
country = 'El Salvador'
arcpy.MakeFeatureLayer_management(centralAmerica, "centralAmericaLayer")

for amenity in amenities:
    try:
        amenitySelectionClause = '"amenity" = ' + "'" + amenity + "'"
        arcpy.MakeFeatureLayer_management(osmPoints, "osmPointsLayer", amenitySelectionClause)
        
        # Here I'm trying to make a SBA and a SBL so I can copy the layer to a new FC. Nothing is working
        arcpy.SelectLayerByAttribute_management('centralAmericaLayer', 'NEW_SELECTION', "\"NAME\" = 'El Salvador'")
        print("SBA made")
        arcpy.SelectLayerByLocation_management("osmPointsLayer", "CONTAINED_BY", "centralAmericaLayer")
        print("SBL Made")

        arcpy.CopyFeatures_management("osmPointsLayer", (amenity + "_outputName"))
        print(amenity + "_outputName")
    except Exception as e:
        print(e)


print(arcpy.GetMessages(0))