Jimmy Morales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jimmy Morales
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Official portrait, 2016
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| 50th President of Guatemala | |
| In office 14 January 2016 – 14 January 2020 |
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| Vice President | Jafeth Cabrera |
| Preceded by | Alejandro Maldonado (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Alejandro Giammattei |
| 2nd Secretary-General of the National Convergence Front | |
| In office 10 March 2013 – 11 January 2016 |
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| Deputy | Édgar Ovalle Maldonado |
| Preceded by | José Luis Quilo |
| Succeeded by | Édgar Ovalle Maldonado (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Ernesto Morales Cabrera
18 March 1969 Guatemala City, Guatemala |
| Political party | National Convergence Front |
| Spouse |
Patricia Marroquín
(m. 1989) |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | University of San Carlos of Guatemala |
| Cabinet | Cabinet of Jimmy Morales |
| Signature |  |
James Ernesto Morales Cabrera (locally [ɟʝimi eɾˈnesto moˈɾales kaˈβɾeɾa]; born 18 March 1969) is a Guatemalan politician, actor, and comedian who served as the 50th president of Guatemala from 2016 to 2020.
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Early and personal life
Morales was born in Guatemala City, to José Everardo Morales Orellana and Celita Ernestina Cabrera Acevedo. He comes from a circus family, and is an Evangelical Christian. His father was killed in a car accident when he was three years old, prompting him, his mother and three siblings to move to his grandparents' house, where he grew up. By the time he was 10 years old, he and his brother Sammy accompanied their grandfather to sell bananas and used clothing at the market in Santa Lucia Milpas Altas.
He holds degrees in Business Administration from the national Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, and in Theology. Morales also holds a master's degree in Strategic Studies with specialization in Security and Defense from Mariano Gálvez University. He furthered his studies in Strategic Studies at Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala.
Morales rose to fame as a TV comedian, starring in the series Moralejas ("Morals") alongside his brother Sammy. He formally changed his name from James Ernesto Morales Cabrera to Jimmy Morales by deed poll in 2011.
Morales has been married for three decades to Patricia Marroquín, and has three children.
Political career
In 2011, he ran as a mayoral candidate in Mixco in the Guatemala City suburbs for the small right-wing Action for National Development party. He placed third.
In 2013, Morales joined the small National Convergence Front (FCN/Nation) and became its Secretary-General.
2015 presidential campaign
In 2015, Morales was nominated as the FCN's presidential candidate. His priorities were fighting corruption and dealing with chronic malnutrition, low education levels, and insecurity. His slogan was "Neither corrupt, nor a thief" (Ni corrupto, ni ladrón). He ran on a platform of conservative values and against corruption. .....
He was initially considered an outsider but surprisingly led the field in the first round of the election, qualifying for a runoff alongside former First Lady Sandra Torres. Morales' success came after both former vice president Roxana Baldetti and outgoing president Otto Pérez Molina had to step down and were arrested on fraud and corruption charges (the La Línea corruption case).
In the runoff, Morales defeated Torres in a landslide, taking 67.4 percent of the vote. Morales' success was viewed as a sign of the distrust of many Guatemalans towards the traditional political elite that ruled the country for decades. Voter anger and military support helped him win the presidency against more experienced politicians whom voters felt were tainted by a corrupt political system.
Presidency (2016–2020)
Inauguration and first days
Morales was sworn into office as the 50th president of Guatemala on January 14, 2016. The first words of his inaugural address were, "Thank you, my God, for the privilege you have given me to serve my country and my people." According to analysts, he took a messianic route and made everyone present at the inauguration swear to commit to a 'new' Guatemala.
During the first days of the new administration, a request for a preliminary trial was introduced against the newly appointed Minister of Communications, Infrastructure, and Housing, Sherry Ordóñez, because she was a state contractor. Ordóñez and Morales, for their part, denied that there was a constitutional restriction for her to continue as Minister. However, on January 25, eleven days after being sworn in, Ordóñez would resign from her post.
Foreign policy
Morales' first international visit was to Ecuador, where he participated in CELAC and maintained bilateral relations with the presidents of Chile, Venezuela, Bolivia, Mexico, Ecuador, and Argentina.
On 24 December 2017, Morales announced that he planned to move the Guatemalan embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. He became the second national leader to announce a decision to make such a move, after the President of the United States, Donald Trump, made a similar announcement on 6 December.
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On 18 June 2018, the Morales government was widely criticized for its slow action in favor of Guatemalans affected by the American policy of separating immigrant families; this caused the dismissal of the presidential spokesman Heinz Heimann, who, a day before his removal from the office, said that the government respected the policy of President Trump.
Post-presidency
In 2023, Morales announced his candidacy for deputy to the Congress for the 2023 general election, while his brother Sammy Morales announced his presidential candidacy, both representing the National Convergence Front (FCN). However, neither received sufficient votes to get elected. As a result, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal dissolved the FCN.
Honors
Order of Brilliant Jade, Grand Cordon, awarded by the President of the Republic of China Tsai Ing-wen on January 11, 2017.
Honorary doctorate, awarded by Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in November 2016.
Filmography
Films
- Manzana Güena en Noche Güena (2004)
- La Misteriosa Herencia (2004)
- Detectives por Error (2005)
- Ve Que Vivos, una aventura en el más allá (2006)
- Un Presidente de a Sombrero (2007)
- Repechaje (2009)
- Gerardi (2010)
- Fe (2011)
- Viva la Crisis (2012)
Television
- Aló que tal América (1996)
- Moralejas (2004)
See also
In Spanish: Jimmy Morales para niños
- Evangelical political parties in Latin America
