Former rebels take power in election

A leftist television journalist won El Salvador’s presidential elections, bringing a party of former guerrillas to power for the first time since a bloody civil war and ending two decades of conservative rule.

Mauricio Funes, a moderate plucked from outside the ranks of the rebel-group-turned-political-party Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front, became the latest leftist to rise to power in Latin America at a time of uncertainty over how President Barack Obama will approach the region.

With 90% of the vote counted late yesterday, Mr Funes had 51% compared to 49% for Rodrigo Avila of the ruling conservative Arena party, said Walter Araujo, president of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal.

Mr Avila, accompanied by current President Tony Saca, conceded defeat and wished Mr Funes luck.

Mr Funes, who reported on the 12-year war that killed 75,000 people and later hosted a popular interview show, promised to unite the country after one of the most polarising campaigns since the conflict.

“This is the happiest night of my life, and I want it to be the night of El Salvador’s greatest hope,” Mr Funes said. “I want to thank all the people who voted for me and chose that path of hope and change.”

Jubilant, red-clad Funes supporters poured into the streets of San Salvador, whooping, clapping, blowing whistles and waving large party flags. Colourful fireworks shot up into the night sky.

Mr Funes, 49, rode a wave of discontent with two decades of Arena party rule that have brought economic growth but done little to redress social inequalities. He promises to crack down on big businesses which he says exploit government complacency to evade taxes.

Mr Avila, 44, a former police chief, had warned that an FMLN victory would send El Salvador down a communist path and threaten the country’s warm relations with the United States. He vowed yesterday to lead “a vigilant opposition that would ensure that the country does not lose its liberties”.

Close US ties saw El Salvador keep troops in Iraq longer than any other Latin American country and become a hub of regional cooperation with Washington against drug trafficking. The country’s economy depends on billions of dollars sent home by 2.5 million Salvadorans who live in the US.

The Obama government has assured Salvadorans it would work with any leader elected – a marked departure from the Bush administration, which in 2004 suggested that an FMLN victory would hurt ties.

But US relations with some leftist leaders remain tense, including Venezuela’s fiery Hugo Chavez and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, who lashed out last week at the United States for holding back aid over an election dispute.

Mr Funes hopes to start off relations fresh with the Obama administration and promises to respect a free trade agreement with the United States and keep the dollar as El Salvador’s currency.

“Integration with Central America and strengthening relations with the United States will be the priority of our foreign policy,” Mr Funes said in his victory speech.