Secretary Clinton arrived in El Salvador yesterday to attend today's inauguration of Mauricio Funes as president. Funes's election is significant because he is from a party of former Marxist guerrillas who had fought against U.S.-backed conservative governments until a 1992 peace agreement. (More background about the election is in the FP article "El Salvador's Revolution by Majority.")
Clinton wrote in a Miami Herald op-ed today:
The inauguration of a new president in El Salvador today is a testament to the strength and durability of democracy throughout the Americas. Since Mauricio Funes' election earlier this year, we have witnessed a peaceful transfer of power between two formerly warring parties.
Below is a photo summary of Clinton's visit so far:
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton receives military honors upon arrival at El Salvador International Airport on May 31.
Clinton receives a gift from Salvadoran children in traditional dress upon disembarking from the airplane.
Clinton laughs as she participates in the "Pathways to Prosperity" meeting next to Ruben Morales, Guatemalan vice minister of economy, on May 31.
Clinton participates in a meeting with members of the Vital Voices Global Partnership at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in San Salvador on May 31.
Clinton poses for a photo with members of the Vital Voices Global Partnership after their May 31 meeting.
New Salvadoran President Mauricio Funes, left, takes the oath of office before the president of the legislature, Ciro Cruz, right, during his inauguration in San Salvador on June 1, while new first lady Vanda Pignato and former President Elías Antonio Saca, far left, and look on.
Photos, top to bottom: YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images, YURI CORTEZ/AFP/Getty Images, Jose CABEZAS/AFP/Getty Images, Jose CABEZAS/AFP/Getty Images, CABEZAS/AFP/Getty Images, Jose CABEZAS/AFP/Getty Images
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