Schafik Jorge Handal
- Born:
- October 13, 1930, Usulután, El Salvador
- Died:
- January 24, 2006, San Salvador, El Salvador
- Nationality:
- Salvadoran
- Profession(s):
- Politician, Guerrilla Leader
Early Life and Education
- Handal was born into a Palestinian Christian family.
- He studied law at the University of El Salvador.
- Became involved in student activism and communist politics early in his life.
Career and Major Achievements
- A founding member of the Communist Party of El Salvador (PCS) in 1969.
- Led the PCS during the Salvadoran Civil War (1980-1992).
- Commander-in-chief of the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN), a coalition of five guerrilla groups.
- Played a key role in the negotiations that led to the Chapultepec Peace Accords in 1992, ending the civil war.
- Following the peace accords, he transformed the FMLN into a political party.
- Served as a deputy in the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador.
- Ran for president of El Salvador in 2004 as the FMLN candidate but was defeated.
Notable Works
While not primarily known for published works, Schafik Jorge Handal's political speeches and interviews shaped public discourse during and after the civil war.
Legacy and Impact
Schafik Jorge Handal's involvement in Salvadoran history makes this brief Schafik Jorge Handal biography essential. He was a pivotal figure in the country's civil war and transition to peace. His leadership within the FMLN and his role in negotiating the peace accords left a lasting impact on El Salvador's political landscape. He is remembered both for his revolutionary past and his contribution to the democratic process.