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U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Press Statement by James P. Rubin, Spokesman
March 9, 1999

Presidential Elections in El Salvador

We congratulate the Salvadoran people and authorities on the free and fair conduct of Sunday’s presidential election. The peaceful and orderly manner in which this election was carried out, with the participation of ten parties representing the entire political spectrum, is certain proof of El Salvador’s commitment to the democratic process.

Although election officials will not have a final tabulation of votes until later this week, they have announced that Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA) candidate, Francisco Flores, has enough votes to claim the presidency. Flores now has approximately 52% of the votes, surpassing the 50% needed to claim a first round victory and avoid a runoff election. Flores’ main challenger, Facundo Guardado of the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN), received approximately 29% of the vote and conceded defeat yesterday.

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