Former El Salvadorian President Mauricio Funes died on January 21 at the age of 65 in Nicaragua, where he had sought asylum to evade numerous corruption charges in his home country. The Los Angeles Times reported that the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health confirmed his death was due to a serious chronic illness.

Funes held office from 2009 to 2014 as El Salvador's first leftist president, representing the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN). He initially gained popularity for his efforts to reshape the image of the FMLN, distancing it from its civil war roots. However, by the time he left office, his administration was mired in accusations of corruption, leading him to flee to Nicaragua in 2016, where he was granted citizenship by President Daniel Ortega, shielding him from extradition.

Deteriorating health plagued Funes in his later years, and despite his political beliefs, corruption allegations followed him incessantly. He faced multiple criminal charges, including embezzling $351 million from state funds, negotiating a controversial truce with gangs during his presidency, and receiving kickbacks related to state contracts. In absentia, he received sentences amounting to over 22 years in prison for these offenses, including a 14-year sentence for facilitating gang negotiations that benefited imprisoned gang leaders, according to AP News.

Funes's career began as an acclaimed journalist before entering politics, where he promoted progressive policies. His leadership ultimately became overshadowed by persistent allegations and legal woes. As Funes engaged in a public conflict with current Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, who has pursued a hardline stance against gangs, the ongoing tension highlighted the contentious political climate in El Salvador.

Despite the controversies surrounding Funes's presidency, including internal conflicts within the FMLN and a rapidly changing political landscape, his impact on Salvadoran politics remains significant. His death marks a pivotal moment in the history of El Salvador's political and social fabric, as noted by multiple media outlets, including Reuters and Le Monde, which reflect on his complex legacy.