Success stories of Palestinian achievers from all over the world

Carlos Roberto Flores

Personal Info

  • Country of residence: Honduras
  • Gender: Male
  • Born in: 1950
  • Age: 65
  • Curriculum vitae :

Information

Carlos Roberto Flores Facussé was President of Honduras from 27 January 1998 to 27 January 2002 and President of the National Congress from 25 January 1994 to 25 January 1998.

He is son to Honduran journalist Oscar Flores Midence and Margarita Facussé de Flores from Palestinian origin. Mr. Flores has a sister, the artist, Celsa Flores, and both attended the American School in Tegucigalpa, where he enjoyed riding his white Arab stallion, Plata, on El Hatillo in the mountains above the city. Mr. Flores furthered his education at Louisiana State University (LSU), where he became a member of Phi Iota Alpha. The oldest inter-collegiate Greek-letter organization established for Latino Americans. He graduated with a degree in industrial engineering. He later completed a masters degree in International Economics and Finance at the same institution. While at LSU he met his future wife, Mary Flake, who is a native of the southern state.

Soon after, he returned to Honduras where he began managing the family business (including La Tribuna) and participating in private and public committees, such as the Honduran Central Bank and the Institute of Social Security. During the 1970s, Flores became part of political life, joining the Liberal Party. He later became a congressman, representing the department (political division equivalent to a province) of Francisco Morazán. He served as Minister of the Presidency under the rule of Liberal president Roberto Suazo from 1982 to 1984. He was the current president of Honduras when the Hurricane Mitch destroyed the country's infrastructure such as bridges and roads.

In 1988 he ran for the presidency, eventually losing to his rival, Rafael Leonardo Callejas, a candidate of the opposing National Party.

In 1994, Flores became president of the Congress, and only four years later won the presidency after competing with Nora Melgar Castro, opposing candidate of the National Party. He became president of Honduras from 1998-2002.

During Carlos Flores' presidency, Honduras was hit by Hurricane Mitch; one of the worst natural disasters in decades, leaving thousands dead and the national economy in shambles.

President Flores engaged in soliciting international aid from several financial institutions and countries. The response was strong, and funds were directed at reinforcing Honduras' infrastructure, agricultural and industrial economic sectors.

As recommended by the IMF and World Bank, Flores imposed strict financial guidelines: deflationary monetary fund policies, fiscal austerity, and privatization of the airports and the national company Hondutel communications, the later with mixed fortune.

President Flores also limited the power held by the military forces, forcing this institution to relinquish some power to the presidency.

26 August 1998 Flores instituted the Ministry of Public Security under the provisions of the National Plan to combat crime and criminality, in progression of the ominous growth in recent years of violent gangs, in particular Mara Salvatrucha. This in turn served to further embolden the organized gangs.

Government initiatives in this area did not produce significant results, and completely ignored murderous activity in chilling silence, actions of a series of armed death squads dedicated to extrajudicially killing homeless children and adolescents living in the margins of society.

Members of the Police, private security guards and civil defense committees organized by local authorities were involved in what was crudely called social cleansing operations.

Reports from Human Rights Commission United Nations, the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Honduras (CODEH) and other NGOs indicate that the casualties caused by such violence on children barely improved during the four years of Flores Presidency.


Source

Achievements and Awards

- In 1994, Flores became president of the Congress, and only four years later won the presidency after competing with Nora Melgar Castro, opposing candidate of the National Party.

- He became president of Honduras from 1998-2002.

  • Marital status :
  • City :
  • Status :
  • Years in active : From To