FMLN leader dies

SCHAFIK HANDAL, left, commander and founder of the Farabundo Marti Liberation Front (FMLN) of El Salvador, died of a heart attack on Jan. 24 returning home from the inauguration of President Evo Morales in Bolivia. He was 75 years old. FMLN leaders in New York told WW, "We have lost an important leader today." Emergency memorial services are taking place in New York City on Jan. 26 and at San Romero Church on Jan. 29 with a formal event to take place later. Handel was a tireless liberation leader who in the 1980's helped lead an armed struggle against neo-colonial and imperialist occupation led by the U.S. He was a very good friend of Cuba and a personal friend of Fidel Castro. The FMLN has never given up the anti imperialist struggle and much of that was due to Commander Schafik's leadership. WW will have more coverage in an upcoming issue.

—Teresa Gutierrez