Salvador Sánchez Cerén facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Salvador Sánchez Cerén
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Sánchez Cerén in 2017
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| 80th President of El Salvador | |
| In office 1 June 2014 – 1 June 2019 |
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| Vice President | Óscar Ortiz |
| Preceded by | Mauricio Funes |
| Succeeded by | Nayib Bukele |
| 48th Vice President of El Salvador | |
| In office 1 June 2009 – 1 June 2014 |
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| President | Mauricio Funes |
| Preceded by | Ana Vilma de Escobar |
| Succeeded by | Óscar Ortiz |
| Minister of Education of El Salvador | |
| In office 1 June 2009 – 3 July 2012 |
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| President | Mauricio Funes |
| Preceded by | Darlyn Meza |
| Succeeded by | Hato Hasbún |
| Deputy of the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador from San Salvador | |
| In office 1 May 2000 – 1 May 2009 |
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| 7th President pro tempore of CELAC | |
| In office 26 January 2017 – 14 January 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Danilo Medina |
| Succeeded by | Evo Morales |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 June 1944 Quezaltepeque, El Salvador |
| Citizenship |
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| Political party | Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front |
| Spouse |
Margarita Villalta de Sánchez
(m. 1968) |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | Escuela Alberto Masferrer |
| Occupation | Politician, soldier, teacher |
| Cabinet | Cabinet of Salvador Sánchez Cerén |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front |
| Branch/service |  Farabundo Martí Popular Liberation Forces |
| Years of service | 1972–1992 |
| Rank | Commander |
| Battles/wars | Salvadoran Civil War |
Salvador Sánchez Cerén was born on June 18, 1944. He is a former politician, a leader during a civil war, and a school teacher from El Salvador. He was the 80th president of El Salvador from 2014 to 2019.
Before becoming president, he was the 49th vice president from 2009 to 2014. He was also a leader in the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN), a political party that started as a group fighting in the Salvadoran Civil War. He is the first former rebel leader to become president of El Salvador.
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Early Life and Education
Sánchez Cerén was born in Quezaltepeque, a town in El Salvador. He was one of twelve children, and his family worked hard to make a living. His father was a carpenter, and his mother was a merchant. From a young age, Salvador helped his family. This experience taught him about working together and sharing resources.
He went to school in Quezaltepeque and later attended Alberto Masferrer School in San Salvador. It was there that he became more interested in politics. After finishing his studies, he became a teacher and taught in public schools for ten years.
Role in the Salvadoran Civil War
In 1972, Sánchez Cerén joined a group called the Farabundo Martí Popular Liberation Forces (FPL). This group was involved in the Salvadoran Civil War, which began in 1979. During the war, Sánchez Cerén used the nickname "Commander Leonel González." He became a commander and an important leader within the FMLN.
Political Career
After the civil war ended, Sánchez Cerén continued his work with the FMLN, which became a political party.
Serving in the Legislative Assembly
In 2000, Sánchez Cerén was elected as a representative for the FMLN in the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador. This is like being a member of parliament or congress. He represented the San Salvador area. He was re-elected two more times, serving in the Assembly until 2009.
From 2001 to 2004, he was the general coordinator for his party. He also led a group within the FMLN in the Legislative Assembly.
Becoming Vice President
In 2007, Mauricio Funes, a journalist, chose Sánchez Cerén to be his running mate for the 2009 presidential election. Funes was the FMLN's candidate for president, and Sánchez Cerén ran for vice president.
During the election campaign, some people criticized Sánchez Cerén because of his past role in the civil war. Despite this, Funes and Sánchez Cerén won the election. Sánchez Cerén became the Vice President of El Salvador on June 1, 2009.
Presidency of El Salvador
In 2012, Sánchez Cerén decided to run for president himself in the 2014 election. The FMLN chose him as their presidential candidate, and he picked Óscar Ortiz as his vice presidential candidate.
The election was very close. Sánchez Cerén won by a small number of votes. He became the first former guerrilla commander to be elected president of El Salvador. He promised to work with different political groups and businesses to lead the country.
Sánchez Cerén officially became president of El Salvador on June 1, 2014. During his time as president, El Salvador made some important decisions. For example, in 2017, it became the first country to ban metal mining to protect the environment and public health. In 2018, his government also decided to start diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China.
After His Presidency
After his term as president ended in 2019, Sánchez Cerén and his family moved to Nicaragua in 2020. In 2021, he and his family were granted Nicaraguan citizenship.
In 2023, the United States Department of State placed sanctions on Sánchez Cerén.
Personal Life
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Salvador Sánchez Cerén married Margarita Villalta de Sánchez in 1968. They have four children named Antonio, Claudia, Fátima, and Ivett.
Images for kids
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Salvador Sánchez Cerén's signature
