After years of investigation, the attorney general of El Salvador issued an arrest warrant for the country's former president Salvador Sanchez Ceren.

El Salvador's attorney general also announced the detention of several former ministers as they faced charges for inappropriately using the state's funds, according to France 24.

The charges of embezzlement and money laundering of Salvador Sanchez Ceren dated back from the 2009-2014 government of Carlos Mauricio Funes Cartagena. 

Salvador Sanchez Ceren served as the vice president under the Mauricio Funes administration. At the time, Sanchez Ceren and others were allegedly involved in money laundering, embezzlement, and illicit enrichment after they transferred unauthorized "bonuses." Salvador Sanchez Ceren became the president of El Salvador the next term.

The corruption reportedly involved more than $350 million in government funds used to make illegal payments to other government employees and their associates. The scam became known as the "Public Looting" scandal.

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Former Officials in El Salvador Arrested

Salvador Sanchez Ceren's co-accused, namely former ministers Violeta Menjivar and Carlos Caceres, and deputy ministers Erlinda Handal, Calixto Mejia, and Hugo Flores, have all been arrested.

Since the ex-president was living abroad, he was not able to take part in the former ministers' parade, as they lined up with handcuffs before the press on Thursday, July 22.

Attorney General Rodolfo Delgado said the former officials would be charged with the crime of money laundering.

Delgado noted that the money was delivered "was delivered to the presidency" monthly, and it constituted an addition to the officials' salary that should be earned for exercising a public service under the law.

Delgado added that he would seek international help to locate the ex-president. 

"We will request a red alert for Interpol to activate its search mechanisms against Salvador Sanchez Ceren," he noted. 

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele Reacts

The current president of El Salvador Nayib Bukele, who replaced Salvador Sanchez Ceren in his position, tweeted that his predecessor was "officially a fugitive from justice." 

Nayib Bukele noted that the ex-president has "left our country via a terrestrial border in December 2020, and never came back."

Mauricio Funes was also a target of a corruption investigation. The former president reportedly resides in Nicaragua, where Salvador Sanchez Ceren is also believed to be.

Their FMLN party, a former guerilla group, cried foul and accused the present government of using state machinery for "political persecution."

Nayib Bukele broke decades of power alternating between the leftist FMLN and the rightwing Arena party when he came to power in 2019. However, the 39-year-old president of El Salvador has been accused by critics of authoritarian tendencies.

Nayib Bukele has enjoyed majority backing in parliament since May. He has already replaced several judges and the attorney general who has rebooted investigations into previous governments since he took the seat as El Salvador's president.

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Written by: Jess Smith

WATCH: Fiscal Ordena Detener a Expresidente Salvador Sánchez Cerén Por Corrupción - From La Prensa Gráfica Noticias de El Salvador