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El Salvador's 1st Leftist President Sworn In

Vows to transform nation, praises Obama in inaugural speech

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 2, 2009 7:00 AM CDT
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(Newser) – A former TV journalist representing a party founded by Marxist guerrillas has been sworn in as El Salvador's first leftist president. Mauricio Funes, who ran on a center-left, pro-America platform, called Barack Obama an inspiration in his inauguration speech and singled out Hillary Clinton, who attended the ceremony, as "brilliant." "It's time to take a new road together in democracy," Funes said.

Funes was elected in March, breaking a chain of right-wing governments that have ruled since the 1980-1992 civil war that left 75,000 dead. Among other campaign pledges, he has vowed to create jobs and crack down on organized crime and narcotraffickers. In his first act as president, Funes restored diplomatic relations with Cuba—leaving the US as the only nation in the Western hemisphere with no ties to Havana.

Mauricio Funes, the new president of El Salvador shakes hands with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the end of a joint news conference in in San Salvador Monday June 1, 2009.
Mauricio Funes, the new president of El Salvador shakes hands with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the end of a joint news conference in in San Salvador Monday June 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Luis Romero)
Mauricio Funes, a former journalist, was sworn in as president of El Salvador on Monday.
Mauricio Funes, a former journalist, was sworn in as president of El Salvador on Monday.   (AP Photo/Luis Romero, Pool)
El Salvador's President Mauricio Funes, of the Farabundo Marti Liberation Front.
El Salvador's President Mauricio Funes, of the Farabundo Marti Liberation Front.   (AP Photo/Luis Romero)
El Salvador's President Mauricio Funes speaks to a crowd during a rally celebrating his swearing in at the Cuscatlan stadium in San Salvador, Monday June 1, 2009.
El Salvador's President Mauricio Funes speaks to a crowd during a rally celebrating his swearing in at the Cuscatlan stadium in San Salvador, Monday June 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Luis Romero)
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks during a joint news conference with Mauricio Funes, the new president of El Salvador, not in picture, in San Salvador Monday June 1, 2009.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks during a joint news conference with Mauricio Funes, the new president of El Salvador, not in picture, in San Salvador Monday June 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Luis Romero)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Robert_Dada
Jun 2, 2009 3:07 AM CDT
And the republican president's were praised by Latin right wing leaders who were oppressors of their own people through the suppression of human rights, right up to and including death by execution (following torture of course) for dissenting political opinion, amongst other 'reasons'.
EddyTeach
Jun 2, 2009 3:00 AM CDT
This is a big shift from the usual Central American leadership. No doubt Funes will be the deciding factor for the union of Central American states (a la the European Union) that's coming soon.

A major shift for El Salvador, and America
Seattle Times

 
Hillary Clinton • Latin America • Central America • El Salvador • Mauricio Funes

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