The president of Nicaragua Violeta Barrios de Chamorro, The first head of state chosen democratically in America And the woman who defeated the former Sandinista Daniel Ortega at the polls in 1990, died this Saturday in Costa Rica at age 95, her children reported.
“The Chamorro Barrios family reports that our violet mother Barrios de Chamorro, former president of Nicaragua, He died today June 14, 2025 at 2.21 hours In San José de Costa Rica, at the age of 95, after a long illness, “announced their children Pedro Joaquín, Claudia Lucía, Christian and Carlos Fernando, all Chamorro Barrios, in a message.
“Doña Violeta died in peace, surrounded by the love and love of her children and of the people who gave him an extraordinary care, And now he is in the peace of the Lord, “they said
In the next few hours, children will inform about the religious ceremony that will be held in San José “To celebrate his life of love and generosity with his family and his dear homeland Nicaragua. “
“His remains will rest temporarily in San José, Costa Rica, Until Nicaragua is again a republic, And their patriotic legacy can be honored in a free and democratic country, “they announced.
The children of the ex -president thanked “the Nicaraguans, in all parts of the world, for their prayers and their solidarity, and especially the people and the government of Costa Rica, that hosted her during these last years of her life. “
Born on October 18, 1929 in the city of Rivas, in the South Pacific of Nicaragua, Violeta Barrios Torres, known as Violet He was sick after suffering a stroke seven years ago.
Two years ago, before being transferred by air from Managua to San José, He had remained in his residence, in the Las Palmas neighborhood, in the Nicaraguan capital, “Under the care and love of his family, accompanied by specialized health personnel,” according to the Chamorro Barrios family.
The family explained then that as of October 2023, “Doña Violeta” would be established in San José “under the care and love of his family, with the accompaniment of health personnel and specialized doctors. “
With 54.7 % of the votes, Chamorro (1990-1997), widow of the also national hero Pedro Joaquín Chamorro Cardenal, Sandinista Daniel Ortega won in the elections of February 25, 1990 that then sought re -election and who since 2007 is president of Nicaragua.
By surprising Ortega, when he presented himself as a presidency candidate for a extinct coalition of 14 parties that formed the Opposition National Union (one), It became the first woman president of Nicaragua and the American continent elected by popular vote.
“Doña Violeta”, as it is affectionately called, married in 1950 with Chamorro Cardenal, killed on January 10, 1978 in the streets of Managua by hitmen paid by the regime of the overthrown president Anastasio Somoza Debayle.