EL SALVADOR: Historic FMLN leader dies

The following message, titled "Shafik Handal lives in the hearts and the struggles of the Salvadorean People!", was issued by the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front on January 24. A long-time left activist and leader of the FMLN, Handal was formerly a guerrilla commander and head of El Salvador's Communist Party. He was the FMLN's presidential candidate in the 2004 election.

The FMLN sends very sad news of the passing of companero and historic leader Shafik Jorge Handal, who died today after suffering a heart attack in San Salvador, El Salvador.

Handal had just arrived from a trip to South America where he participated in the inauguration ceremonies of Bolivian President Evo Morales. The Salvadoran government has declared three national days of mourning with flags at half mast.

From Green Left Weekly, February 1, 2006.

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From GLW issue 654