Former El Salvado President dies facing corruption charges

The former president of El Salvador, Francisco Flores, died on Saturday after suffering a stroke as he waited to face trial over embezzlement charges. He was 56 years old.

Flores, who ruled the Central American nation from 1999 to 2004, had undergone emergency surgery last Sunday after suffering a stroke.

“We regret the death of President Francisco Flores and we sympathize with his family at this time,” his far-right Nationalist Republican Party (Arena) said in a statement.

A shrine of flowers, candles and pictures was placed in front of the private hospital where Flores died.

His surviving wife, Lourdes Flores, thanked his supporters outside the hospital in the early morning hours of Sunday (January 31).

“We thank the Salvadorans who have come physically and through their prayers. My father taught us, my brother and me, that you can leave your country when it is happy and triumphant, but when it is under threat, oppressed and bound, you can never leave it. You save it or you die for it. Many thanks to all,” she said.

Flores was accused of embezzling $15 million dollars of aid from Taiwan that was donated after two devastating earthquakes hit the country in 2001.

Prosecutors say he siphoned $10 million dollars to give to his party and kept $5 million for himself.

Flores maintained his innocence and was under house arrest for the charges.