Leftist FMLN Candidate Mauricio Funes Wins El Salvador Presidential Election, Ending Two Decades of Conservative Rule

The Obama government has assured Salvadorans it would work with any leader elected, a departure from the Bush administration, which in 2004 threatened to cut off aid to El Salvador if the FMLN won.

Close U.S. ties saw El Salvador keep troops in Iraq longer than any other Latin American country with the last of its 6,000 soldiers returning last week. El Salvador had also become a hub of regional cooperation with Washington in the so-called drug war. The country’s economy depends on billions of dollars sent home by 2.5 million Salvadorans who live in the United States.

We go now to El Salvador to speak with Roberto Lovato. He is a Contributing Associate Editor with New America Media and a frequent contributor to the Nation magazine. He blogs at ofamerica.wordpress.com He met with President-elect Mauricio Funes last night and interviewed him.

Roberto Lovato, Contributing Associate Editor with New America Media and a frequent contributor to The Nation magazine. He blogs at ofamerica.wordpress.com . He met with President-elect Mauricio Funes last night and interviewed him.

Related Links

• Ofamerica.wordpress.com

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• El Salvador Holds National Elections Amidst Renewed GOP Threats Against Electing FMLN (3/13/2009)
• Ahead of Pivotal El Salvador Vote, Rep. Raul Grijalva Leads Congressional Call to Reverse Longstanding US Interference (3/11/2009)