Key Takeaways:

• Mauricio Funes, former president of El Salvador, died at the age of 65 in Nicaragua, where he sought refuge from corruption charges.
• During his presidency from 2009 to 2014, Funes faced numerous accusations, including embezzling state funds and negotiating deals with street gangs.
• Funes claimed political persecution as he evaded sentencing and lived under the protection of Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega.
• His legacy remains contentious, with mixed opinions on his contributions as a journalist and politician.

Former president of El Salvador, Mauricio Funes, passed away late Tuesday night in Nicaragua, where he had taken asylum to escape numerous corruption charges in his homeland. He was 65 years old. The Nicaraguan Health Ministry confirmed his death, attributing it to a serious chronic illness, although further details were not disclosed, as reported by AP News.

Funes served as the president of El Salvador from 2009 until 2014, representing the leftist Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN). Following his presidency, he faced multiple criminal proceedings for embezzlement and illicit negotiations with criminal gangs. In May 2023, he was sentenced in absentia to 14 years in prison for negotiating gang truces which allegedly included giving benefits to imprisoned gang leaders. Furthermore, Funes was convicted in June last year to an additional eight years for laundering money connected to a construction contract kickback, as detailed in reports from Los Angeles Times and Reuters.

Funes fled to Nicaragua in 2016 amidst a crumbling political landscape and accusations of corruption that left him with a total of five active arrest warrants. In 2019, he was granted Nicaraguan citizenship under President Daniel Ortega's administration, effectively preventing his extradition back to El Salvador. Despite his claims of political persecution, Funes's legal battles continued, resulting in multiple convictions, as highlighted by Le Monde.

Born on October 18, 1959, in San Salvador, Funes initially made a name for himself as a journalist before entering politics, leading to his election victory against the conservative Arena party candidate in 2009. However, by the end of his term, he faced intense scrutiny regarding his governance and various corruption allegations. Current political tensions were evident in his ongoing feuds with sitting President Nayib Bukele, particularly over gang policies and criminal accusations.

Funes's story reflects a complicated legacy; while he was celebrated for his journalistic endeavors and political leadership, his controversial presidency and subsequent legal issues cast a long shadow over his contributions. The sentiment regarding Funes remains deeply polarized in both political and public spheres.