Mauricio Funes and allies allegedly stole $351 million
On Friday, Salvadoran authorities announced a series of corruption charges against former president Mauricio Funes and thirty other members of his "inner circle."
Funes did untold damage to El Salvador. After twenty years of ARENA misrule, many people put their faith in the independent former journalist. He led a coalition of the left and center-right to the presidency. Instead, he might have been just as corrupt as his predecessors. He eroded confidence in the FMLN and independents. Perhaps one of the only good things that could come of this situation is a successful prosecution.
The 31 arrest orders include Funes' private secretary, his long-time partner Ada Mitchelle Guzman Siguenza, his ex-wife Regina Canas and two of Funes' sons.
"In the government of Mauricio Funes there were serious and outrageous cases of corruption in which they extracted $351 million from public accounts," said Salvadoran Attorney General Douglas Menendez.Funes has been living in exile in Nicaragua since 2016. Funes questioned the political witch hunt via Twitter. Authorities are seeking his extradition. Miguel Menendez (Mecafe), alleged to be one of the corruption ring's organizers, was taken into custody by authorities.
Funes did untold damage to El Salvador. After twenty years of ARENA misrule, many people put their faith in the independent former journalist. He led a coalition of the left and center-right to the presidency. Instead, he might have been just as corrupt as his predecessors. He eroded confidence in the FMLN and independents. Perhaps one of the only good things that could come of this situation is a successful prosecution.
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