Former Salvadoran President Mauricio Funes Passes Away in Nicaragua
Mauricio Funes, who sought refuge in Nicaragua amid corruption charges, dies at 64.
Mauricio Funes, who made history as El Salvador's first left-wing president, serving from 2009 to 2014, died on January 21, 2025, in Nicaragua, according to a statement from the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health.
The announcement confirmed the passing of Funes, who fled to Nicaragua in 2016 following accusations in his home country of embezzling $351 million during his tenure.
At the time of his death, Funes was facing five pending criminal cases in El Salvador related to these corruption allegations.
The Nicaraguan health ministry has not released specific details regarding the cause of his death, but it had previously disclosed that Funes was experiencing a severe health condition compounded by chronic illnesses.
Funes had been living in Nicaragua since obtaining asylum, granted by the Nicaraguan government, which refused calls for his extradition to El Salvador.
Mauricio Funes, a former journalist, was elected under the banner of the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN), marking the first time a leftist party held the presidency in El Salvador.
His administration was marked by efforts to improve public welfare programs but was later overshadowed by the corruption accusations.
In 2018, a Salvadoran court sentenced him to 14 years in prison in absentia on charges of illicit enrichment and embezzlement, a ruling that Funes consistently denied.
Funes' death closes a significant chapter in El Salvador's political history, reflecting broader regional issues related to governance, corruption, and asylum.
The announcement confirmed the passing of Funes, who fled to Nicaragua in 2016 following accusations in his home country of embezzling $351 million during his tenure.
At the time of his death, Funes was facing five pending criminal cases in El Salvador related to these corruption allegations.
The Nicaraguan health ministry has not released specific details regarding the cause of his death, but it had previously disclosed that Funes was experiencing a severe health condition compounded by chronic illnesses.
Funes had been living in Nicaragua since obtaining asylum, granted by the Nicaraguan government, which refused calls for his extradition to El Salvador.
Mauricio Funes, a former journalist, was elected under the banner of the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN), marking the first time a leftist party held the presidency in El Salvador.
His administration was marked by efforts to improve public welfare programs but was later overshadowed by the corruption accusations.
In 2018, a Salvadoran court sentenced him to 14 years in prison in absentia on charges of illicit enrichment and embezzlement, a ruling that Funes consistently denied.
Funes' death closes a significant chapter in El Salvador's political history, reflecting broader regional issues related to governance, corruption, and asylum.
