| The mission of the Leonel Gómez iniciative is to fulfill the humanitarian and philanthropic endeavors of the late Leonel Gómez. Leonel Gómez, who died on November 25th in San Salvador of cardiac arrest, was a member of the Project on Justice in Times of Transition’s International Advisory Board and had been the Director of the Demos Center in El Salvador.
Leonel came from a prominent family and dedicated his life to exposing human rights abuses and investigating corruption, surviving several assassination attempts in the process. He was also committed to "speaking truth to power" whether it be to the left or right in El Salvador, to the US Embassy, or to countless members of the US Congress, their staff and US administrations dating back to Gerald Ford.
Leonel played a vital role behind the scenes in bringing peace to El Salvador and played a historic role in brokering some of the first contacts between the US government and the FMLN guerilla movement that proved essential to building trust at a key stage of the peace process. Leonel also applied his skills outside of El Salvador, investigating the death of Guatemalan Bishop Juan Gerardi, whose assassination followed the release of the truth commission report which he helped produce. Leonel also helped the Mexican government initiate dialogue with the Zapatista rebels.
Leonel investigated the assassination of Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero, who was a close friend and mentor. In 1989, Leonel was asked by the US Congress to be the lead investigator of the killing of six Jesuit priests. This investigation was also known as the Moakley Commission and it was the first time the US Congress investigated a murder outside the United States. Most recently, Leonel worked with his close friend, Congressman James McGovern, on three critical organized crime cases, including the murders of the nine-year-old Katya Miranda in 1999 and Teamster union organizer Gilberto Soto in 2004. In his last days, Leonel succeeded in getting these cases re-opened.
Leonel transcended politics in the defense of justice and human rights. He has helped more Salvadorans than will ever know it. El Salvador, Central America and the world has suffered a great loss. The Leonel Gomez Iniciative seeks to continue his work.
The two main international charities to be funded though this initiative are: El Hogar La Divina Providencia and the Projects of Padre Walter Guerra from San Jose La Majada Parish, in Sonsonate.
In addition, The Leonel Gomez initiative will also be involved in projects to promote justice in El Salvador. |
