Former El Salvador President Mauricio Funes Dies in Exile at 65

Mauricio Funes, former President of El Salvador, died in Nicaragua at age 65. He lived there to avoid criminal charges including corruption and gang negotiations. Funes governed from 2009 to 2014 and faced multiple convictions, leading to his exile. His administration remains criticized for corruption, while current President Bukele has pursued legal actions against him.

Mauricio Funes, the former President of El Salvador, passed away at the age of 65 in Nicaragua, where he lived in exile to escape numerous criminal charges. Nicaragua’s Health Ministry reported that he died from a serious chronic illness on a late Tuesday. Funes governed El Salvador from 2009 to 2014 and had taken refuge under the protection of Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega, who granted him citizenship to evade extradition.

During his presidency, Funes faced serious allegations including corruption and forming deals with notorious street gangs, culminating in an accumulated sentence of 28 years. However, he never served time in prison. Following his departure from politics, Funes was tried in absentia on multiple occasions, ultimately being convicted several times for his actions while in office.

Funes initially garnered support as an investigative journalist before being elected as the FMLN (Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front) candidate in the 2009 elections, where he triumphed over the conservative candidate Rodrigo Ávila. Despite his initial popularity, his presidency ended with significant corruption allegations, prompting him to flee the country in 2016, which he claimed was politically motivated persecution.

More recently, he received a total of 22 years in sentences for various charges related to gang negotiations and corrupt dealings, including the misappropriation of government funds. His administration faced scrutiny, as several officials, including his former security minister, were also prosecuted for their roles during his presidency.

Since leaving office, Funes has been in conflict with the current President Nayib Bukele, who has aggressively pursued investigations against him. Bukele has denied allegations of any similar dealings with gangs but has firmly denounced Funes’ past actions in public discourse. The legacy of Funes remains contentious, as his political career was marred by serious criminal accusations.

Mauricio Funes was a significant political figure in El Salvador, whose presidency marked a transition for the FMLN party, traditionally linked to the civil war. His governorship began with high hopes but ultimately ended amidst corruption scandals. The FMLN’s declining influence in recent elections, as well as the rise of President Bukele, further underscores the turbulent political landscape in the country. Funes’ decision to remain in Nicaragua demonstrates the serious legal challenges former leaders face in the region, especially related to corruption and crime.

The life and presidency of Mauricio Funes exemplify the complex interplay of politics, corruption, and public perception in El Salvador. His death in exile highlights the ramifications of his controversial administration and ongoing political strife within the country. As El Salvador continues to navigate its governance challenges under President Bukele, the legacy of Funes serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of political misconduct.

Original Source: www.kob.com