Ricardo Maduro: The Jewish President of Honduras

Early Life

Maduro was born in Panama and is the father of three daughters and one son from his first marriage. On April 23, 1997, his son, Ricardo Ernesto, was kidnapped, and his body was found two days later.

This tragic event strengthened Maduro's resolve to become president, even though, according to Honduras' constitution, the president must be a native of the country, while Maduro was born in Panama. During his election campaign, Maduro pledged to combat crime, violence, and drug-related issues.

In 2002, he married a woman of Spanish-Honduran descent and adopted five children.

Presidency of Honduras

Maduro was elected as the President of Honduras in the November 2001 elections, leading the National Party of Honduras. He assumed office on January 27, 2002, and served until January 27, 2006.

During his presidency, on May 1, 2005, the plane he was traveling in crashed into the Caribbean Sea near the coast of Tela. Maduro, his daughter Lorena, and the pilot suffered minor injuries and were rescued by local residents.

In the November 2005 general elections and presidential elections, Maduro's ruling party lost to the liberal party of Honduras, and Maduro lost the presidency to his opponent, Manuel Zelaya, who took office on January 27, 2006.

Ricardo Maduro was the second president of Jewish descent to serve in Honduras, preceded by Juan Lindo, who served as president for approximately five years in the mid-19th century.

Maduro's presidency from 2002 to 2006 marked an important chapter in the political history of Honduras.