Mauricio Funes, ex-president of El Salvador, died at 65 in Nicaragua. He was a former journalist who led the country from 2009 to 2014 and fled amid corruption allegations. Funes faced multiple charges related to embezzlement and was sentenced in absentia before his death.
Mauricio Funes, the former president of El Salvador, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 65 in Nicaragua, where he sought asylum two years after his presidency amid allegations of corruption. Funes served as El Salvador’s president from 2009 to 2014, presenting himself as a moderate leftist leader while being associated with a party formed from former Marxist rebels.
Funes began his career in journalism, making a name for himself as a reporter for outlets such as CNN en Español. As an experienced journalist, Funes interviewed members of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) during the Salvadoran civil war, an experience that later shaped his political ideologies and strategies.
The first FMLN candidate without a history of armed conflict, Funes attempted to distance the party from its violent past to appeal to a broader electorate. Nonetheless, he faced numerous corruption charges, including the misappropriation of $351 million from public funds, leading to his exile in 2016 and eventual acquisition of Nicaraguan nationality.
Despite claiming political persecution, Funes had five criminal charges outstanding in El Salvador, including embezzlement. In May 2023, he was sentenced to 14 years in absentia for compromising negotiations with criminal gangs during his administration, illustrating the gravity of the allegations against him.
Educated at the Jesuit-run University of Central America, Funes began teaching at the young age of 16 before pursuing a career in journalism. His work spanned multiple television channels, culminating in over a decade with CNN, after which he transitioned to politics as the FMLN presidential candidate.
While campaigning, Funes sought to emulate revered leaders such as Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and US President Barack Obama. His presidency initially fostered a close relationship with the United States, but this changed as allegations of corruption led to his inclusion on a US blacklist, barring him from visa access.
Mauricio Funes was a significant figure in El Salvador’s political landscape, having transitioned from journalism to the presidency. His tenure was marked by attempts to reshape the image of the FMLN party, distancing it from its violent origins while facing serious corruption accusations. His story highlights the interplay between media, politics, and the struggle for governance amid a complex historical backdrop.
In summary, Mauricio Funes, a journalist turned politician, left a profoundly controversial legacy as El Salvador’s president. His administration was marred by corruption allegations leading to his asylum and trials in absentia. Despite his attempts to embody progressive leadership, his fall from grace underscores the challenges that leaders face in reconciling their pasts with the demands of governance.
Original Source: www.france24.com
