7 Interesting Lebanese Diaspora Journeys Into Latin American Politics
Lebanese people have had an extensive impact on Latin America, with many success stories being recorded for the newly minted immigrants. Out of curiosity, we examined these connections and found 7 prominent politicians of Lebanese origin that have had interesting journeys in Latin America.
1. Abdalá Bucaram
The President of Ecuador between August 1996 and February 1997. He was nicknamed the “El Loco Que Ama”, the madman who loves. He was removed from office only a few months into his term by congress due to his alleged insanity. His sister was first lady in 1981 and died in a mysterious plane crash. He was found hoarding 5,000 masks and 2,000 COVID tests in his residence in 2020. His family immigrated to Ecuador in the early 20th century
2. Julio César Turbay Ayala
The 25th President of Colombia, reigning from 1978 to 1982. He was married to his niece, Nydia Quintero Turbay and they had four children. His daughter, Diana, was kidnapped at the order of Pablo Escobar and accidentally killed by Colombian police during a rescue attempt in 1991. His father had immigrated from Tannourine, Lebanon.
3. Michel Temer
The 37th President of Brazil, ruling from 2016 to 2018. He had been the vice president of impeached president Dilma Rousseff. He is said to have betrayed Rousseff during her impeachment proceedings and was accused of multiple counts of corruption. When he left office, only 7% of Brazilians approved of him. His parents immigrated from Abadiyeh, Lebanon in 1925.
4. Mario Abdo Benitez
The President of Paraguay since 2018, Abdo Benitez has a name that perfectly exemplifies the blending of Lebanon and Latin America. As does his first wife, Fatima Maria Diaz. He was previously a senator and president of the senate in the country. It is unclear which part of Lebanon he immigrated from.
5. Simone Tabet
A Senator in Brazil since 2015, her father had also been a senator and president of the senate. She was the female candidate with the highest number of votes during her senate election. She was initially endorsed for president of the senate in 2021 by both Bolsonaro and Lula, but ended up losing. She then ran for president behind those two men in 2022, finishing 3rd with 4.61% of the vote.
6. Luis Abinader
The President of the Dominican Republic since 2020. His father, José Rafael Abinader, founded the political party he currently leads. He is married to children’s literature writer Raquel Arbaje Sone, also of Lebanese origin. His grandfather immigrated from Baskinta, Lebanon in the early 20th century.
7. Juliana Awada
The First Lady of Argentina between 2015 and 2019, Juliana Awada captured the hearts and minds of the Argentine people during her husband Mauricio Macri’s term. She was voted best dressed women in the world by Vogue in 2016 and was the second woman after Eva Peron to receive the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic. Her family immigrated from Baalbek in the mid 20th century.
