Deaths on January 30

Francisco Flores Pérez, Salvadorian politician, President of El Salvador (b. 1959)

Francisco Guillermo Flores Pérez (17 October 1959 – 30 January 2016) was a Salvadoran politician who served as President of El Salvador from 1 June 1999 to 1 June 2004 as a member of the conservative Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA). He previously served as a deputy of the Legislative Assembly from 1994 to 1999, having been president of the Assembly from 1997 to 1999.

Flores was born in Santa Ana. He entered politics in the Alfredo Cristiani administration, serving various positions until his election to the Legislative Assembly, of which he became president after three years. He successfully ran for president in 1999. His administration was characterized by close alignment with the United States, including the adoption of the U.S. dollar. After the end of his presidency, he unsuccessfully ran for Secretary General of the Organization of American States.

Flores was accused in May 2014 of pocketing US$15 million donated by Taiwan, intended for survivors of the January and February 2001 El Salvador earthquakes, which occurred during his presidency. He was the first former Salvadoran president to be indicted and tried on corruption charges. He was placed under house arrest during the latter days of his life, but died before he could stand trial.