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In Memory...
Leonel Gomez (1940-2009)
Leonel Gomez, who died on November 25th in San Salvador of cardiac arrest was a close friend and a member of the Project on Justice in Times of Transition’s International Advisory Board since our founding in 1992 and he will be deeply missed.
Leonel came from a prominent family and dedicated his life (escaping several assassination attempts) to expose human rights abuses, investigate corruption and "speak 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 and 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 (known as the Moakley Commission) into the killing of six Jesuit priests, 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 assassination cases 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 and political lines 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.
Quotes from friends and colleagues:
"Photo credit: Anna Schori."
“Leonel was a remarkable and appealing guy, he will be missed.” Stephen Heintz, President Rockefeller Brothers Fund
“So sad...he was wonderful!” Amb. Nancy Soderberg, President, The Connect U.S. Fund
“What a sad news...meeting Leonel was one of the most important events of my life. He was a great friend and teacher as well. What a rich and memorable life...” Jan Urban, Professor, New York University in Prague, and founding member of the Civic Forum
“Leonel was incredibly generous. When I first met him on a research project for the Project on Justice in Times of Transition and the Institute for Global Leadership, he took the time to clearly explain the complex issues facing El Salvador. He has been so instrumental in other situations since then. On case after case, he made such a difference and was the driving force behind many other successful people and actions. It is rare to find someone so caring and effective as Leonel. To me, he represented hope for El Salvador.”
Hannah Flamm, Tufts '09
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