Mauricio Funes
Encyclopedia
Carlos Mauricio Funes Cartagena (born 18 October 1959 in San Salvador
) is the President
of El Salvador
. He won the 2009 presidential election
as the candidate of the left-wing
Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front
(FMLN) political party
and took office on 1 June 2009.
in Brazil
. They have one son, Gabriel. Funes received his High School Diploma (Bachillerato) from the Externado San José
, and completed his licenciate in literature at Universidad Centroamericana "José Simeón Cañas"(UCA). Both Externado and UCA are jesuit institutions, something that has deeply influenced president Funes. In this respect, Funes has mentioned his relationship to the murdered scholars of UCA as of particular significance in his professional and personal development. In 1994 he was awarded the Maria Moors Cabot prize
from Columbia University
for promoting press freedom and inter-American understanding.
Funes' brother was killed during the Salvadoran Civil War. His oldest son, Alejandro Funes Velasco, who was 27 years old, died after being attacked in Paris, France, where he was studying photography.
, and also hosted local news programs which were critical of previous governments. He was a reporter during the Salvadoran Civil War and interviewed leftist rebel leaders. It was during this time that he became more politically oriented and left-wing.
's candidate Rodrigo Ávila
, a former deputy director of the National Police. Funes won the 2009 presidential election
with 51.32% of the popular vote, thus winning election in a single round. He is the country's second left-leaning president (the first being Arturo Araujo
, as well as the first FMLN party leader not to have fought in the civil war.
His presidential campaign was highlighted by statements endorsing moderate political policies. He has promised to better programs such as health care in rural areas and crime prevention. Political opponents stated that Funes' election would herald an era of Venezuela
n influence but he insisted that "integration with Central America and strengthening relations with North America will be the priority of our foreign policy". Funes has also promised to keep the U.S. dollar as El Salvador's official currency (dollarization
took place in 2001 under President Francisco Flores Pérez
).
Since coming to power, Fune’s administration has implemented a wide range of social reforms designed to combat poverty and inequality, including the institution of various poverty alleviation programs in the most impoverished communities, the abolition of public health care fees, the introduction of free shoes, meals and uniforms for schoolchildren, the distribution of property titles to hundreds of families, the introduction of monthly stipends and job training for those living in extreme poverty, and pensions for the elderly.
Upon his inauguration on June 1, 2009, Funes resumed Salvadorean diplomatic relations with Cuba
. El Salvador previously suspended diplomatic relations with Cuba 50 years ago due to the Cuban Revolution
.
On November, 2009 President Funes had to face the natural disaster that greatly affected communities in Cuzcatlan, San Salvador and San Vicente as a result of the rain brought by Hurricane Ida
. A community in San Vicente called Verapaz
disappeared because it was buried by huge rocks that fell from the nearby volcano. Civil Protection, which is the government entity in charge of handling catastrophes, rehabilitated public schools in which refugees stayed for more than 3 months while they found a place to stay from family or friends. The Army and the Red Cross of El Salvador rescued many people from the communities.
Mr. Funes has been criticized for lack of a plan to fight El Salvador’s increased criminal activity. Since taking office in June 2009, criminal statistics on homicides, robbery and extortion have increased, and as of February 2010, 13 persons were murdered daily. In response, the President has ordered the deployment of the army to cooperate with police authorities in their fight against crime.
More recently, there have been reports of newly formed Death Squads operating in El Salvador, due in part to a lack of response of the police.
In January 2010, after a public denouncement of Funes’ former cabinet member Francisco Gómez, local Salvadoran media uncovered plans whereby almost all government publicity and advertising were to be carried, without any previous public solicitation (as required by Salvadoran Law), by advertising agency
Polistepeque, S.A. de C.V. Some advisers to the president are members of its board of directors, and allegedly Funes himself has some participation through stock in that agency.
The President reacted to these accusations by stating that no other advertising agency in El Salvador has the experience or capacity to manage government publicity and advertising, despite the fact that El Salvador has many local and international advertising agencies such as BBDO
.
Official Campaign Website
San Salvador
The city of San Salvador the capital and largest city of El Salvador, which has been designated a Gamma World City. Its complete name is La Ciudad de Gran San Salvador...
) is the President
President of El Salvador
This page contains a list of Presidents of El Salvador.-Heads of State of El Salvador within the Federal Republic of Central America :*Pedro Barriere : 21 September 1821 - 28 November 1821*José Matías Delgado : 28 Nov 1821 - 9 February 1823...
of El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
. He won the 2009 presidential election
Salvadoran presidential election, 2009
A presidential election was held in El Salvador on 15 March 2009. The main candidates were Rodrigo Ávila and Mauricio Funes . Funes won the election with 51.3% of the vote.-Polls:...
as the candidate of the left-wing
Left-wing politics
In politics, Left, left-wing and leftist generally refer to support for social change to create a more egalitarian society...
Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front
Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front
The Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front is, since 1992, a left-wing political party in El Salvador and formerly a coalition of five revolutionary guerrilla organizations...
(FMLN) political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
and took office on 1 June 2009.
Biography
Funes is married to Dr. Vanada Pignado, who was involved in the Workers' PartyWorkers' Party (Brazil)
The Workers' Party is a democratic socialist political party in Brazil. Launched in 1980, it is recognized as one of the largest and most important left-wing movements of Latin America. It governs at the federal level in a coalition government with several other parties since January 1, 2003...
in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. They have one son, Gabriel. Funes received his High School Diploma (Bachillerato) from the Externado San José
Externado San José
Externado San José is a private and Catholic school run by the Society of Jesus in San Salvador, El Salvador.-Brief history:A recognized Catholic and private institution of basic and secondary education run by the Jesuits. It was founded in 1921 and operated as a school for boys until the 1970s,...
, and completed his licenciate in literature at Universidad Centroamericana "José Simeón Cañas"(UCA). Both Externado and UCA are jesuit institutions, something that has deeply influenced president Funes. In this respect, Funes has mentioned his relationship to the murdered scholars of UCA as of particular significance in his professional and personal development. In 1994 he was awarded the Maria Moors Cabot prize
Maria Moors Cabot prize
The Maria Moors Cabot Prizes are the oldest international awards in the field of journalism. They pick what the Trustees of Columbia University see as journalistic contributions to inter-American understanding.-Award:...
from Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
for promoting press freedom and inter-American understanding.
Funes' brother was killed during the Salvadoran Civil War. His oldest son, Alejandro Funes Velasco, who was 27 years old, died after being attacked in Paris, France, where he was studying photography.
Journalist career
Prior to his involvement with politics, Funes was a journalist who hosted a popular interview show on television. He made appearances on Channel 12 and CNN en EspañolCNN en Español
CNN en Español is CNN's Spanish language news channel. On March 17, 1997, CNN launched CNN en Español, a 24-hour Spanish-language news network for the Hispanic American and United States marketplace.-Mexico programming:...
, and also hosted local news programs which were critical of previous governments. He was a reporter during the Salvadoran Civil War and interviewed leftist rebel leaders. It was during this time that he became more politically oriented and left-wing.
Election 2009
Funes was nominated to be the FMLN candidate on 28 September 2007 and competed against the Nationalist Republican AllianceNationalist Republican Alliance
The Nationalist Republican Alliance is a conservative political party in El Salvador. It was founded on September 30, 1981, by Roberto D'Aubuisson, in order to oppose the reformist military junta that was ruling El Salvador at the time...
's candidate Rodrigo Ávila
Rodrigo Ávila
Rodrigo Ávila is a Salvadoran politician. He stood as the then ruling political party ARENA candidate for the presidency of El Salvador in the March 2009 presidential election. Upon his nomination, Ávila also became the President of ARENA. He has since resigned as President of the ARENA party...
, a former deputy director of the National Police. Funes won the 2009 presidential election
Salvadoran presidential election, 2009
A presidential election was held in El Salvador on 15 March 2009. The main candidates were Rodrigo Ávila and Mauricio Funes . Funes won the election with 51.3% of the vote.-Polls:...
with 51.32% of the popular vote, thus winning election in a single round. He is the country's second left-leaning president (the first being Arturo Araujo
Arturo Araujo
Arturo Araujo was the president of El Salvador from March 1, 1931 to December 2, 1931. He was overthrown in a military coup led by junior officers, and was forced to flee the country for Guatemala...
, as well as the first FMLN party leader not to have fought in the civil war.
His presidential campaign was highlighted by statements endorsing moderate political policies. He has promised to better programs such as health care in rural areas and crime prevention. Political opponents stated that Funes' election would herald an era of Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
n influence but he insisted that "integration with Central America and strengthening relations with North America will be the priority of our foreign policy". Funes has also promised to keep the U.S. dollar as El Salvador's official currency (dollarization
Dollarization
Dollarization occurs when the inhabitants of a country use foreign currency in parallel to or instead of the domestic currency. The term is not only applied to usage of the United States dollar, but generally to the use of any foreign currency as the national currency.The biggest economies to have...
took place in 2001 under President Francisco Flores Pérez
Francisco Flores Pérez
Francisco Guillermo Flores Pérez is an ex president of El Salvador. He led the country from June 1 1999 until June 1 2004 as a member of the conservative Nationalist Republican Alliance .-Background:...
).
Domestic Policy
Since coming to power, Fune’s administration has implemented a wide range of social reforms designed to combat poverty and inequality, including the institution of various poverty alleviation programs in the most impoverished communities, the abolition of public health care fees, the introduction of free shoes, meals and uniforms for schoolchildren, the distribution of property titles to hundreds of families, the introduction of monthly stipends and job training for those living in extreme poverty, and pensions for the elderly.
Foreign Policy
Upon his inauguration on June 1, 2009, Funes resumed Salvadorean diplomatic relations with Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. El Salvador previously suspended diplomatic relations with Cuba 50 years ago due to the Cuban Revolution
Cuban Revolution
The Cuban Revolution was an armed revolt by Fidel Castro's 26th of July Movement against the regime of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista between 1953 and 1959. Batista was finally ousted on 1 January 1959, and was replaced by a revolutionary government led by Castro...
.
Hurricane Ida
On November, 2009 President Funes had to face the natural disaster that greatly affected communities in Cuzcatlan, San Salvador and San Vicente as a result of the rain brought by Hurricane Ida
Hurricane Ida (2009)
Hurricane Ida was the strongest landfalling tropical cyclone during the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season, crossing the coastline of Nicaragua with winds of 80 mph . The remnants of the storm became a powerful nor'easter that caused widespread damage along coastal areas of the Mid-Atlantic States...
. A community in San Vicente called Verapaz
Verapaz
Verapaz is a municipality in the San Vincente department of El Salvador. Verapaz means 'true peace' . It has been the site of two recent natural disasters. An earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale on the 13 February 2001 and the 2009 Salvador floods and mudslides in November 2009.-References:...
disappeared because it was buried by huge rocks that fell from the nearby volcano. Civil Protection, which is the government entity in charge of handling catastrophes, rehabilitated public schools in which refugees stayed for more than 3 months while they found a place to stay from family or friends. The Army and the Red Cross of El Salvador rescued many people from the communities.
Crime Rate
Mr. Funes has been criticized for lack of a plan to fight El Salvador’s increased criminal activity. Since taking office in June 2009, criminal statistics on homicides, robbery and extortion have increased, and as of February 2010, 13 persons were murdered daily. In response, the President has ordered the deployment of the army to cooperate with police authorities in their fight against crime.
More recently, there have been reports of newly formed Death Squads operating in El Salvador, due in part to a lack of response of the police.
Polistepeque Scandal
In January 2010, after a public denouncement of Funes’ former cabinet member Francisco Gómez, local Salvadoran media uncovered plans whereby almost all government publicity and advertising were to be carried, without any previous public solicitation (as required by Salvadoran Law), by advertising agency
Advertising agency
An advertising agency or ad agency is a service business dedicated to creating, planning and handling advertising for its clients. An ad agency is independent from the client and provides an outside point of view to the effort of selling the client's products or services...
Polistepeque, S.A. de C.V. Some advisers to the president are members of its board of directors, and allegedly Funes himself has some participation through stock in that agency.
The President reacted to these accusations by stating that no other advertising agency in El Salvador has the experience or capacity to manage government publicity and advertising, despite the fact that El Salvador has many local and international advertising agencies such as BBDO
BBDO
BBDO is a worldwide advertising agency network, with its headquarters in New York City. The agency began in 1891 with George Batten's Batten Company, and later in 1928, through a merger of BDO and Batten Co. the agency became BBDO...
.
External links
- MauricioFunes.org - The Official President Mauricio Funes Fansite http://mauriciofunes.org
Official Campaign Website
- First President from the Left Elected in San Salvador by Katie Kohlstedt, June 6, 2009
- El Salvador Rising by Tom Hayden, The Nation, June 15, 2009
- El Salvador’s 'Date with History' by Oscar Faria, Workers World, July 2, 2009