SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — Mauricio Funes, the former president of El Salvador, passed away late on Tuesday. He was 65 years old. Funes had taken refuge in Nicaragua for the last several years to evade multiple criminal convictions. According to a statement from Nicaragua’s Health Ministry, Funes succumbed to a severe chronic illness.
Funes served as president from 2009 until 2014, during which time he garnered significant attention. Following his presidency, he spent the last nine years under the protection of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, who granted him citizenship, effectively shielding him from extradition to face charges back home. He faced over 26 years’ worth of criminal sentences in El Salvador, primarily linked to corruption and illicit agreements with influential street gangs, yet he never served time in prison.
Originally a journalist, Funes emerged in the political arena with the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN), a leftist party that was born from El Salvador’s civil war and dominated the political landscape for three decades. However, after last year’s elections, the FMLN lost all its Congressional seats. The political party released a statement on Wednesday highlighting Funes’ significant contributions as both a journalist and president, noting his broad acceptance among the Salvadoran populace and international community.
Labor Minister Rolando Castro addressed the situation through X, acknowledging Funes’ notable skills and contributions to journalism, while also recognizing the mistakes made during his time in office. Born in San Salvador on October 18, 1959, Funes initially worked as a teacher in Catholic institutions but gained prominence as a war reporter. He hosted a celebrated interview show that tackled contentious subjects, interviewing various leaders and serving as a CNN correspondent from 1991 to 2007, during which he received numerous accolades.
Funes’ political career began when the FMLN approached him to run as their candidate, leading to a victory in the 2009 elections against Rodrigo Ávila of the conservative National Republican Alliance, known as Arena, which had dominantly ruled since 1989. Funes was depicted as a fresh candidate who was not directly involved in the civil war, aligning with the party’s efforts to reshape its image.
Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chávez once characterized Funes as “tenacious,” commending his willingness to confront the challenges facing El Salvador. However, by the time he completed his term, Funes was confronted with numerous allegations of corruption. In 2016, he fled to Nicaragua, where he consistently asserted that the accusations against him were politically motivated harassment.
Despite his claims, he was tried in absentia six times and found guilty in all instances. In May 2023, he received a 14-year prison sentence for orchestrating a gang truce that involved offering benefits to incarcerated gang leaders in exchange for reduced homicide rates during his presidency. His latest conviction occurred in June of the previous year, resulting in an eight-year prison sentence for accepting kickbacks related to a construction project. Additionally, he faced charges for allegedly diverting about $351 million in public funds.
Numerous individuals linked to his administration, including his ex-wife Vanda Pignato and several former associates, have also faced prosecution for corruption. His former security minister, David Munguía Payés, received an 18-year prison sentence for his involvement in the gang truce negotiations. Despite the controversies surrounding Funes’ administration, the FMLN remained in power with President Salvador Sánchez Cerén from 2014 to 2019; Sánchez Cerén was one of the guerrilla commanders during the civil war.
In recent years, Funes engaged in frequent exchanges with current El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, particularly on social media, where they traded insults. Bukele has actively pursued prosecutions against Funes, particularly concerning his dealings with gang leaders. Although Bukele himself faced accusations of similar negotiations, he has staunchly denied them, ultimately launching a comprehensive offensive against gang activities in the country.
