Managua, Nicaragua – Mauricio Funes, the former president of El Salvador who spent his last years in Nicaragua to evade various criminal sentences, passed away late Tuesday, January 21. He was 65 years old.
The Nicaraguan Health Ministry confirmed Funes’ death, attributing it to a serious chronic illness. Funes, who served as El Salvador’s president from 2009 to 2014, spent his final nine years under the protection of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega. The Ortega administration granted Funes citizenship, effectively shielding him from extradition to his home country.
Funes faced multiple convictions in El Salvador, including corruption charges and accusations of making deals with the country’s powerful street gangs. These convictions resulted in a combined sentence of over 26 years. Despite this, Funes never served time in prison, remaining in Nicaragua under conditions similar to asylum. 
A former journalist-turned-politician, Funes rose to prominence as a member of the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN), a leftist party that emerged from El Salvador’s civil war. His election in 2009 marked a significant moment for the FMLN, which had dominated Salvadoran politics for three decades. However, the party’s influence has since diminished, culminating in its loss of all congressional seats in last year’s elections.
Funes’ presidency was characterized by both hope for reform and allegations of impropriety, which have tainted his legacy. His controversial ties to Nicaragua, along with his evasion of justice, remain contentious points as the region reflects on his impact.
Details about funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
