What to know

Latin American Presidents of Arab Origins

Latin American Presidents with Arab origins

Did you know that these Latin American presidents have deep Arab origins?

As the saying goes, “an Arab can make it anywhere”. Well these Arabs decided to prove it right. You’ll be surprised to find out how many Latin American presidents have Arab origins.

Salvador Nasralla (Honduras, ??)

Salvador Nasralla - Rodrigo Abd/The Washington Times

Salvador Nasralla – Rodrigo Abd/The Washington Times

As it seems, Salvador Nasralla is set to become the next president of Honduras. The reason his last name sounds so familiar is that it’s Arab, Palestinian to be exact.

Michel Temer (Brazil, 2016 to -)

Michel Temer

Michel Temer

Temer was born in Brazil, but his parents are from Btaaboura, in Northern Lebanon. They immigrated together with three of his older siblings to Brazil in 1925.

Jamil Mahuad (Ecuador, 1998 to 2000)

Jamil Mahuad

Jamil Mahuad

Currently serving a 12-years jail sentence for embezzlement charges, Mahuad is of both Lebanese and German descent.

Abdalá Bucaram (Ecuador, 1996 to 1997)

Abdalá Bucaram

Abdalá Bucaram

More commonly know as “El Loco”, or “The Madman”, he was born in Guayaquil to Lebanese immigrants.

Carlos Menem (Argentina, 1989 to 1999)

Carlos Menem

Carlos Menem

Menem is the son of Saúl Menem and Mohibe Akil, Syrian nationals from Yabroud who had moved to Argentina.

Julio Turbay (Colombia, 1978 to 1982)

Julio César Turbay Ayala

Julio César Turbay Ayala

Turbay was born in a poor Bogota neighborhood to Antonio Amín Turbay, a businessman who had immigrated from Tannourine, Lebanon.

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