CENTRAL AMERICA

 

FMLN to Rebuild El Salvador

San Salvador - After 30 years of military and political struggle, the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) won last Sunday presidential elections, paving the way for building a new El Salvador.

FMLN presidential candidate Mauricio Funes´s victory has been regarded as the most important event in the history of the small Central American nation.

In spite of right-wing slanderous campaigns, fraud and threats , the FMLN managed to win with 51.32 percent of the votes. The Alianza Republicana Nacionalista (ARENA) candidate got 46.68 percent.

In an exclusive interview with Prensa Latina, FMLN general coordinator Medardo Gonzalez described the process that led his party to the presidency.

The last stage in this process dates back to December, 2006 when in a National Convention we launched a manifesto stating people was eagerly looking forward a new system, faced with the unbearable economic, political, and social situation they were going through.

“At that time, we called all longing for a change to unite, and the party expressed its willingness to become that force; it was an important starting point for us,” he recalled.

Picking the candidate was another important step, because we wanted other sectors beyond the FMLN to join the process. That process took a year, and ended in November, 2007 when Funes was nominated candidate, he added. The FMLN government program, agreed by consensus with the society, stated among its priorities to face the current international crisis which is particularly hitting El Salvador for its dependency from United States.

At this moment family remittances account for 19 percent of the country´s Gross Domestic Product, nearly one fifth of the national income, Gonzalez said.

The new government is aimed at beginning the way towards development with equity, to fulfill the peace agreements signed in 1992 and strengthen the role of the State. A new government also means changes in the foreign policy and diversification of commercial and diplomatic relations with other countries that in Gonzalez opinion has remain at standstill.

It is vital for us to re-establish relations with Cuba soon and give the corresponding level to the Venezuelan relations, he declared.

The FMLN general coordinator dedicated the victory to the historic leader of the organization Schafik Handal who died in 2006 and to all his comrades who died in this attempt that has began in the 80th.

This victory also represents a great personal satisfaction and happiness for the people. We have done it and we will start fighting to build a New Salvador, he stressed.