Governance: Leaders

Schafik Handal will not be forgotten; his beliefs will be reflected on future leaders that will rebel against all odds.

El Salvador has suffered a great loss. Their deep pain has not faded since they heard the news that leftist leader Schafik Handal passed away, taking dreams that have yet to develop and leaving accomplishments that the people will treasure for the rest of their lives. Handal died from a heart complication as he arrived at the national airport of San Salvador from his trip to Bolivia.

Gerson Martinez commented to a spanish-speaking newspaper, « La Opinion, Â» that Handal’s words were a breath of hope for the people to keep the testament of personal and revolutionary integrity, loyalty, and firmness in defending the people’s causes.

Handal was one of those people who rather than being forgotten, becomes a legend and empowers others throughout time. Although, Schafik Handal has perished, the Salvadorian people will overcome his loss for they have lived through one of the worst wars in Latin America, El Salvador’s civil war. Dozens, hundreds, and maybe even thousands of lives were lost, but they became the leaders of new rebels. Political conflicts may rise if the people are not properly represented by an unjust government. 

The Salvadorian people know what must be done if the government does not represent them correctly.  If the government becomes the peoples’ enemy rather than their representative, they will fight just like they fought until 1992 when the civil war in El Salvador reached its end. This was the time when FMLN, Farabundo Marti Para la Liberación Nacional, a national liberation group, became a political party and Schafik Handal was a strong image for revolution and leadership. He not only fought for the people, but also was an important figure in getting a peace treaty signed.

Political opponents recognized the truthfulness in Handal.  They said that he was honest and he did not change his mind.  They agreed that his honesty was a characteristic that was valuable in a political leader.

FMLN seems to be weak at this time because of their tremendous loss.  However, the leftist party will concentrate on the triumphs in Latin America as more countries have had leftist victories.

There are elections coming up this year. These elections will only be for representatives but it will show who the people will choose for the presidential elections in 2009. If the voters become empowered by Schafik Handal’s death, there is a tremendous probability that another Latin American country will be governed by a leftist political group. What will this mean for the United States government? Fewer countries will be influenced by the United States. The death of Schafik Handal has not only empowered F.M.L.N. supporters but has also caused some violence in El Salvador. Will this be the beginning of an upcoming conflict between different points of view in the government? Schafik’s death has left nothing but speculation, but that is what an important figure leaves.  He leaves uncertainty, not only in those who supported him, but also in those who opposed him. His testament of political integrity has empowered the people and alleviates the pain for his vanishing presence.