Mauricio Funes, former president of El Salvador, died at 65 in Nicaragua where he had lived in exile since 2016 due to corruption charges. His presidency from 2009 to 2014 was marred by controversy over gang pacts and corruption allegations. Funes was granted Nicaraguan nationality to avoid extradition. His death marks a significant moment in the evolving political landscape of El Salvador, particularly as President Bukele consolidates power.
Mauricio Funes, the former president of El Salvador, passed away in Nicaragua at the age of 65 on Tuesday night. Funes had been living in exile since 2016 due to facing multiple corruption charges in El Salvador. Nicaraguan officials announced his death, attributing it to a serious chronic illness without providing specific details.
Born in October 1959 in San Salvador, Funes had a diverse career as a journalist and was recognized for his analytical reporting and interviews with public figures. He transitioned from a successful media career to politics by becoming the president of El Salvador from 2009 to 2014 as a member of the leftist party, the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN).
During his leadership, Funes focused on various social programs, but his presidency was tarnished by a controversial gang pact, wherein his government allegedly made concessions to gang leaders in exchange for reduced violence. Following his term, he faced serious allegations of embezzlement, money laundering, and other charges, which he claimed were politically motivated.
After fleeing to Nicaragua in 2016 to avoid prosecution, Funes was granted Nicaraguan nationality, thereby evading extradition to El Salvador. Recent actions by President Nayib Bukele’s administration resulted in a 14-year prison sentence against Funes, issued in absentia for his involvement in the aforementioned gang pact. Funes repeatedly engaged in public disputes with Bukele on social media platforms.
The political landscape in El Salvador has significantly shifted since Funes’ term, especially following Bukele’s 2019 electoral victory, which marked a major disapproval of the FMLN party. Both Funes and his successor, Salvador Sanchez Ceren, currently reside in Nicaragua, reflecting the ongoing complexities within Salvadoran politics.
Mauricio Funes served as the President of El Salvador from 2009 to 2014 and was a member of the leftist FMLN party, which emerged from the country’s civil war era. His presidency was characterized by social initiatives aimed at improving education and public health, but also faced criticism for a dubious pact with gang leaders. After allegations of corruption surfaced, Funes fled to Nicaragua in 2016 and was subsequently granted Nicaraguan citizenship, thereby escaping prosecution in El Salvador. The political climate in El Salvador has dramatically shifted since Funes’ administration, particularly with the ascendance of President Nayib Bukele, who has criticized Funes and the FMLN.
Mauricio Funes’ death concludes a tumultuous chapter in Salvadoran politics marked by allegations of corruption and a significant shift in governance following his presidency. His legacy remains complicated by both his social initiatives and the controversies surrounding his administration, particularly regarding criminal pacts with gangs. Furthermore, Funes’ exile and subsequent legal troubles highlight the ongoing tensions within the political landscape of El Salvador, particularly under President Bukele’s administration.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
