Mauricio Funes, Ex-President of El Salvador, Passes Away in Nicaragua at 65

Mauricio Funes, who led El Salvador as its first leftist president, died while in exile in Nicaragua. Once celebrated for his attempts to uplift the nation after civil war, his tenure ended in controversy as he faced multiple corruption charges.

Mauricio Funes, the former president of El Salvador and once a prominent television journalist, has died at the age of 65 in Managua, Nicaragua, where he had been living in exile. The Nicaraguan health ministry reported his death on January 21, citing a “grave chronic illness” as the cause. Reports indicate that he had been hospitalized following a heart attack earlier in January.

Elected in 2009, Funes was seen as a symbol of hope for a nation scarred by civil conflict, promising to address issues of crime and poverty. However, his presidency became overshadowed by allegations of corruption, which ultimately led him to flee to Nicaragua in 2016, shortly after leaving office.

By the time he departed, Salvadoran authorities were investigating him for the embezzlement of approximately $351 million in government funds. In May 2023, he was convicted in absentia and sentenced to 14 years in prison for colluding with criminal gangs, known as Maras, to curtail violence in exchange for financial benefits. He also faced separate convictions for tax evasion and bribery.

At the time of his death, Funes was under investigation, having received multiple prison sentences in absentia for various charges related to his presidency. His passing might rekindle discussions about the impact of his leadership on the Salvadoran society, highlighting the complexities and lasting divisions in the nation regarding his legacy.