Francisco Flores Pérez
Francisco Guillermo Flores Pérez (17 October 1959 – 30 January 2016) was a Salvadoran politician who served as President of El Salvador from 1 June 1999 to 1 June 2004 as a member of the conservative Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA). He previously served as a deputy of the Legislative Assembly from 1994 to 1999, having been president of the Assembly from 1997 to 1999.
Francisco Flores Pérez | |
|---|---|
Flores in 2001 | |
| 39th President of El Salvador | |
| In office 1 June 1999 – 1 June 2004 | |
| Vice President | Carlos Quintanilla Schmidt |
| Preceded by | Armando Calderón Sol |
| Succeeded by | Antonio Saca |
| President of the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador | |
| In office 1 May 1997 – 1 May 1998 | |
| Preceded by | Gloria Salguero Gross |
| Succeeded by | Juan Duch Martínez |
| Deputy of the Legislative Assembly | |
| In office 1 May 1994 – 1 June 1999 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Francisco Guillermo Flores Pérez 17 October 1959 Santa Ana, El Salvador |
| Died | 30 January 2016 (aged 56) San Salvador, El Salvador |
| Political party | Nationalist Republican Alliance |
| Spouse | Lourdes Rodríguez de Flores |
| Children | 2 |
Flores was born in Santa Ana. He entered politics in the Alfredo Cristiani administration, serving various positions until his election to the Legislative Assembly, of which he became president after three years. He successfully ran for president in 1999. His administration was characterized by close alignment with the United States, including the adoption of the U.S. dollar. After the end of his presidency, he unsuccessfully ran for Secretary General of the Organization of American States.
Flores was accused in May 2014 of pocketing US$15 million donated by Taiwan, intended for survivors of the January and February 2001 El Salvador earthquakes, which occurred during his presidency. He was the first former Salvadoran president to be indicted and tried on corruption charges. He was placed under house arrest, but died before he could stand trial.