Famous Salvadoran Presidents

José Napoleón Duarte was the president of El Salvador during the tumultuous years of the Salvadoran Civil War and had witnessed mass killings of civilians by the army. Though he was supported by the U.S., he failed to remove poverty from his country and ended up being ousted by ARENA.

Mauricio Funes is a Salvadoran politician who won the 2009 presidential election representing the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front political party. He served as the 44th president of El Salvador from 2009 to 2014. Before establishing himself as a politician, Mauricio Funes had a successful career in journalism, hosting local news programs and interviewing leftist rebel leaders.

Antonio Saca is a Salvadoran politician best known for his service as the 40th President of El Salvador from 2004 to 2009. Prior to his political career, Saca worked as a broadcast journalist. Antonio Saca made headlines in 2018 when he was sentenced to 10 years in prison after he was convicted with money laundering and embezzlement charges.  

Fidel Sánchez Hernández was a Salvadoran politician and military officer. He served as the 32nd President of El Salvador from 1967 to 1972. In 1969, he led the Salvadoran Army in the Football War against Honduras. Prior to becoming the president, Fidel served as an army general. He also served as the Minister of the Interior from 1962 to 1967.

Carlos Humberto Romero was a Salvadoran politician best remembered for his service as the 37th President of El Salvador from 1977 to 1979. His presidency was marked by political unrest that culminated in the 1979 Salvadoran coup d’état, which ended Carlos Humberto Romero's presidency.

Joaquín Eufrasio Guzmán was a Salvadoran politician best remembered for his service as the acting President of El Salvador. He served as the acting president on three occasions between 1844 and 1859. An important politician, Joaquín Eufrasio Guzmán also served as the Vice President of El Salvador on a couple of occasions.