Claudia Rodríguez de Guevara

{{Short description|Former presidential designate and President of El Salvador 2023-2024}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Claudia Rodríguez de Guevara

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| office = Director of Municipal Works

| term_start = 25 November 2021

| term_end =

| president = Nayib Bukele

| predecessor = Position established

| successor =

| office1 = Acting President of El Salvador

| president1 = Nayib Bukele {{small|(suspended)}}

| term_start1 = 1 December 2023

| term_end1 = 1 June 2024

| office2 = First Presidential Designate of El Salvador

| president2 = Nayib Bukele

| term_start2 = 1 December 2023

| term_end2 = 1 June 2024

| predecessor2 = Medardo González{{Cite web|url=https://www.laprensagrafica.com/elsalvador/Medardo-Gonzalez-y-Norma-Guevara-son-los-designados-a-la-presidencia-20150424-0132.html|title=Medardo González y Norma Guevara son los Designados a la Presidencia|trans-title=Medardo González and Norma Guevera are the Designates to the Presidency|language=es|date=24 April 2015|access-date=22 December 2023|work=La Prensa Gráfica|archive-date=3 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203152809/https://www.laprensagrafica.com/elsalvador/Medardo-Gonzalez-y-Norma-Guevara-son-los-designados-a-la-presidencia-20150424-0132.html|url-status=live}}

| successor2 =

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|42|2023|12|01}}

| birth_place = El Salvador

| death_date =

| death_place=

| party= Nuevas Ideas

| otherparty=

| spouse=

| children=

| occupation= {{hlist|Accountant|

Politician}}

}}

Claudia Juana Rodríguez de Guevara (born 1980 or 1981) is a Salvadoran accountant who is a former presidential designate and President of El Salvador from 1 December 2023 to 1 June 2024. She assumed presidential powers and duties after President Nayib Bukele was granted a leave of absence by the Legislative Assembly to focus on his 2024 re-election campaign, which some constitutional lawyers have argued violates the country's constitution.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberglinea.com/2023/12/01/quien-es-claudia-rodriguez-la-presidenta-interina-que-reemplazara-a-bukele-en-su-licencia/|title=¿Quién es Claudia Rodríguez, la Presidenta Interina que Reemplazará a Bukele en su Licencia?|trans-title=Who Is Claudia Rodríguez, the Interim President Who Will Replace Bukele During His Leave of Absence?|language=es|date=1 December 2023|access-date=1 December 2023|work=Bloomberg Línea|first1=Fátima|last1=Romero|archive-date=2 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202220548/https://www.bloomberglinea.com/2023/12/01/quien-es-claudia-rodriguez-la-presidenta-interina-que-reemplazara-a-bukele-en-su-licencia/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.prensalibre.com/internacional/claudia-juana-rodriguez-de-guevara-quien-es-la-mujer-que-asumira-la-presidencia-tras-salida-de-bukele/|title=Claudia Juana Rodríguez de Guevara: Quién es la Mujer que Asumirá la Presidencia Tras Salida de Bukele|trans-title=Claudia Juana Rodríguez de Guevara: Who is the Woman Who Will Assume the Presidency After Bukele's Departure?|language=es|date=1 December 2023|access-date=1 December 2023|work=Prensa Libre|archive-date=1 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201230134/https://www.prensalibre.com/internacional/claudia-juana-rodriguez-de-guevara-quien-es-la-mujer-que-asumira-la-presidencia-tras-salida-de-bukele/|url-status=live}}

Rodríguez served as a finance manager for Bukele both before and during his presidency from 2019 to 2023. In 2021, Rodríguez was appointed as the Director of Municipal Works, and in 2022, she was named as Bukele's private secretary. On 30 November 2023, after granting Bukele and Vice President Félix Ulloa a leave of absence to run for re-election in the 2024 election, Rodríguez was selected by the Legislative Assembly to serve as designated president, a position she assumed the following day. Her appointment as presidential designate to assume presidential duties and powers has been criticized by lawyers as unconstitutional. Rodríguez is the first woman to hold presidential powers in El Salvador.

Early life

Rodríguez was born in 1980 or 1981.{{cite web|url=https://emisorasunidas.com/2023/12/01/congreso-el-salvador-concede-licencia-bukele-designan-claudia-de-guevara-presidenta-en-funciones/|title=Congreso de El Salvador Concede Licencia a Bukele; Designan a Claudia de Guevara como Presidenta en Funciones|trans-title=Congress of El Salvador Concedes Leave of Absence to Bukele; Designates Claudia de Guevara as Acting President|language=es|date=1 December 2023|access-date=1 December 2023|work=Emisoras Unidas|archive-date=2 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202000800/https://emisorasunidas.com/2023/12/01/congreso-el-salvador-concede-licencia-bukele-designan-claudia-de-guevara-presidenta-en-funciones/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.elcolombiano.com/internacional/por-que-se-va-bukele-de-el-salvador-y-quien-es-la-nueva-presidenta-claudia-rodriguez-EG23254110|title=El Salvador Tendrá su Primera Mujer Presidente: Bukele Abandona el Poder para Buscar la Reelección en 2024|trans-title=El Salvador Will Have Its First Female president: Bukele Abandons Power to Seek Re-Election in 2024|language=es|date=1 December 2023|access-date=1 December 2023|work=El Colombiano|archive-date=2 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202001942/https://www.elcolombiano.com/internacional/por-que-se-va-bukele-de-el-salvador-y-quien-es-la-nueva-presidenta-claudia-rodriguez-EG23254110|url-status=live}}

Rodríguez studied at the Reverend José Saberlio Ponce Christian College{{cite web|url=https://diario.elmundo.sv/politica/quien-es-claudia-juana-rodriguez-de-guevara-designada-presidencial-de-bukele|title=¿Quién es Claudia Juana Rodríguez de Guevara, Designada Presidencial de Bukele?|trans-title=Who is Claudia Juana Rodríguez de Guevara, Bukele's Presidential Designate?|language=es|date=1 December 2023|access-date=1 December 2023|work=El Mundo|first1=Yolanda|last1=Magaña|archive-date=2 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202105711/https://diario.elmundo.sv/politica/quien-es-claudia-juana-rodriguez-de-guevara-designada-presidencial-de-bukele|url-status=live}} and the General Francisco Morazán National Institute. She later attended the Francisco Gavidia University for five semesters, although she did not graduate.{{cite web|url=https://www.cidob.org/es/biografias_lideres_politicos/america_central_y_caribe/el_salvador/claudia_rodriguez_de_guevara|title=Claudia Rodríguez de Guevara|language=es|date=6 December 2023|access-date=6 December 2023|work=Cidob|editor1-first=Roberto|editor1-last=Ortiz de Zárate|archive-date=7 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180412/https://www.cidob.org/es/biografias_lideres_politicos/america_central_y_caribe/el_salvador/claudia_rodriguez_de_guevara|url-status=live}} She also completed a course at the Corporation of Accountants of El Salvador.{{cite web|url=https://www.transparencia.gob.sv/institutions/dom/officials/17287|title=Claudia Juana Rodríguez de Guevara (Vigente)|trans-title=Claudia Juana Rodríguez de Guevara (Current)|language=es|date=8 March 2022|access-date=30 November 2023|work=Government of El Salvador|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414104745/https://www.transparencia.gob.sv/institutions/dom/officials/17287|archive-date=14 April 2023}}

Rodríguez previously served as a bidding and billing manager for Servicios Quirúrgicos de El Salvador, S.A. de C.V., as a finance manager for Obermet, S.A. de C.V., a company owned by the Bukele family,{{cite web|url=https://diario.elmundo.sv/politica/asamblea-nombra-a-secretaria-privada-de-bukele-como-designada-presidencial|title=Asamblea Nombra a Secretaria Privada de Bukele como Designada Presidencial|trans-title=Assembly Names Bukele's Private Secretary as Presidential Designate|language=es|date=30 November 2023|access-date=30 November 2023|work=El Mundo|first1=Yolanda|last1=Magaña|archive-date=1 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201101648/https://diario.elmundo.sv/politica/asamblea-nombra-a-secretaria-privada-de-bukele-como-designada-presidencial|url-status=live}} and as an auxiliary accountant for Tire Center, S.A. de C.V. In 2011, she founded a company which was a subsidiary of Alba Petróleos, which itself was a subsidiary of the PDVSA, a Venezuelan oil company.{{cite web|url=https://elfaro.net/en/202311/el_salvador/27168/inner-circle-financial-officer-will-be-interim-president-while-bukele-campaigns-for-reelection|title=Inner-Circle Financial Officer Will Be Interim President While Bukele Campaigns for Re-Election|language=en|date=1 December 2023|access-date=1 December 2023|work=El Faro|first1=Roman|last1=Gressier|first2=José Luis|last2=Sanz|archive-date=2 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202031213/https://elfaro.net/en/202311/el_salvador/27168/inner-circle-financial-officer-will-be-interim-president-while-bukele-campaigns-for-reelection|url-status=live}} That year, she was also a legal representative for MOV-I, S.A. de C.V. She was the president of NRA, S.A. de C.V. from 2011 to 2018.{{cite web|url=https://elfaro.net/es/202312/el_salvador/27180/bukele-recibio-pagos-de-empresa-dirigida-por-actual-delegada-presidencial-cuando-el-era-alcalde|title=Bukele Recibió Pagos de Empresa Dirigida por Actual Delegada Presidencial Cuando Él Era Alcalde|trans-title=Bukele Received Payments from Company Led by the Current Presidential Designate When He Was Mayor|language=es|date=13 December 2023|access-date=13 December 2023|work=El Faro|first1=Efren|last1=Lemus|first2=Gabriela|last2=Cáceres|archive-date=13 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213183542/https://elfaro.net/es/202312/el_salvador/27180/bukele-recibio-pagos-de-empresa-dirigida-por-actual-delegada-presidencial-cuando-el-era-alcalde|url-status=live}}

Accounting career

From 2012 to 2015, she served as a finance manager for the municipality of Nuevo Cuscatlán while Nayib Bukele was its mayor. She served as the municipal treasurer of San Salvador while Bukele was its mayor from 2015 to 2018. In August 2018, she was appointed as the finance manager for Nuevas Ideas, the political party established by Bukele in 2017; she is a member of Nuevas Ideas In December 2023, the Gato Encerrado magazine alleged that she had received US$1.2 million in checks from the San Salvador mayor's office during Bukele's term as mayor of San Salvador.

Rodríguez continued her service as a finance manager during Bukele's presidency beginning in June 2019.{{cite web|url=https://historico.elsalvador.com/historico/906457/critican-nombramiento-funcionaria-capres-para-direccion-obras-municipales.html|title=Critican Nombramiento de Funcionaria de Capres como Presidenta de ente Municipal|trans-title=They Criticize the Naming of a Presidential Civil Servant as President of the Municipal|language=es|date=4 December 2021|access-date=30 November 2023|work=El Diario de Hoy|first1=Milton|last1=Rodríguez|archive-date=1 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201172729/https://historico.elsalvador.com/historico/906457/critican-nombramiento-funcionaria-capres-para-direccion-obras-municipales.html|url-status=live}} In November 2022, Rodríguez became the director of the Emergency Committee and oversaw the allocation of US$2 billion of funds to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://elfaro.net/es/202310/el_salvador/27121/empresa-administrada-por-ernesto-castro-se-beneficio-con-527-000-de-alba-petroleos|title=Empresa Administrada por Ernesto Castro se Benefició con $527,000 de Alba Petróleos|trans-title=Business Administrator for Ernesto Castro Benefited from $527,000 of Alba Petróleos|language=es|date=23 October 2023|access-date=30 November 2023|work=El Faro|first1=Jimmy|last1=Alvarado|archive-date=2 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202035159/https://elfaro.net/es/202310/el_salvador/27121/empresa-administrada-por-ernesto-castro-se-beneficio-con-527-000-de-alba-petroleos|url-status=live}} On 25 November 2021, she was appointed by Bukele as the president of the board of directors of the newly created Directorate of Municipal Works.{{cite web|url=https://www.prensa-latina.cu/2023/11/30/propone-bukele-designado-presidencial-en-el-salvador|title=Bukele Propone a Designada Presidencial en El Salvador|trans-title=Bukele Proposes a Presidential Designate in El Salvador|language=es|date=30 November 2023|access-date=30 November 2023|work=Prensa Latina|archive-date=1 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201145156/https://www.prensa-latina.cu/2023/11/30/propone-bukele-designado-presidencial-en-el-salvador|url-status=live}} On 17 March 2022, Bukele named Rodríguez as his private secretary.{{cite web|url=https://www.laprensagrafica.com/elsalvador/Bukele-nombra-a-presidenta-de-la-DOM-como-su-Secretaria-Privada-20220322-0064.html|title=Bukele Nombra a Presidenta de la DOM como su Secretaria Privada|trans-title=Bukele Names the President of DOM as His Private Secretary|language=es|date=22 March 2022|access-date=30 November 2023|work=La Prensa Gráfica|first1=Gabriel|last1=Campos Madrid|archive-date=11 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211185319/https://www.laprensagrafica.com/elsalvador/Bukele-nombra-a-presidenta-de-la-DOM-como-su-Secretaria-Privada-20220322-0064.html|url-status=live}} She replaced Ernesto Castro, who had earlier assumed office as president of the Legislative Assembly.{{cite web|url=https://www.infobae.com/america/agencias/2023/12/01/secretaria-de-bukele-sera-la-primera-mujer-en-ocupar-la-presidencia-en-el-salvador/|title=Secretaria de Bukele Será la Primera Mujer en Ocupar la Presidencia en El Salvador|trans-title=Bukele's Secretary Will Be the First Woman to Occupy the Presidency of El Salvador|language=es|date=1 December 2023|access-date=1 December 2023|work=Infobae|archive-date=2 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202000246/https://www.infobae.com/america/agencias/2023/12/01/secretaria-de-bukele-sera-la-primera-mujer-en-ocupar-la-presidencia-en-el-salvador/|url-status=live}} On 21 April 2023, Bukele named Rodríguez as the representative of the board of directors of the Road Conservation Fund.{{cite web|url=https://diario.elmundo.sv/politica/bukele-mantiene-a-secretaria-privada-en-consejo-directivo-de-fovial|title=Bukele Mantiene a Secretaria Privada en Consejo Directivo de Fovial|trans-title=Bukele Keeps Private Secretary on the Fovial Board of Directors|language=es|date=21 April 2023|access-date=30 November 2023|work=El Mundo|first1=Susana|last1=Peñate|archive-date=2 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202220548/https://diario.elmundo.sv/politica/bukele-mantiene-a-secretaria-privada-en-consejo-directivo-de-fovial|url-status=live}} Rodríguez also previously served as the coordinator of the FANTEL-Dalton after the resignation of Carolina Recinos.{{cite web|url=https://gatoencerrado.news/2023/12/01/sustituye-ilegalmente-a-bukele-en-los-ultimos-seis-meses-de-su-presidencia/|title=Claudia Juana Rodríguez Sustituye Ilegalmente a Bukele en los Últimos Seis Meses de su Presidencia|trans-title=Claudia Juana Rodríguez Illegally Substitutes Bukele in the Final Six Months of His Presidency|language=es|date=1 December 2023|access-date=1 December 2023|work=Gato Encerrado|first1=Eugenia|last1=Velásquez|first2=Beatriz|last2=Benítez|archive-date=1 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201234422/https://gatoencerrado.news/2023/12/01/sustituye-ilegalmente-a-bukele-en-los-ultimos-seis-meses-de-su-presidencia/|url-status=live}}

Presidential designation

On 30 November 2023, the Legislative Assembly selected Rodríguez as the designated president after granting Bukele a leave of absence to focus on his 2024 re-election campaign,{{cite web|url=https://www.laprensagrafica.com/elsalvador/Asamblea-otorga-permiso-a-Bukele-para-que-realice-campana-20231130-0091.html|title=Asamblea Otorga Permiso a Bukele para que Realice Campaña|trans-title=Assembly Grants Bukele Permission to Realize His Campaign|language=es|date=30 November 2023|access-date=30 November 2023|work=La Prensa Gráfica|first1=Gabriel|last1=Campos Madrid|archive-date=1 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201233327/https://www.laprensagrafica.com/elsalvador/Asamblea-otorga-permiso-a-Bukele-para-que-realice-campana-20231130-0091.html|url-status=live}} which many politicians and constitutional lawyers have argued is illegal and unconstitutional.{{cite web |date=1 December 2023 |title=El Salvador Sees a Surprise Presidential Shift |url=https://ticotimes.net/2023/12/01/rodriguez-de-guevara-el-salvadors-new-interim-president |access-date=1 December 2023 |work=The Tico Times |language=en |archive-date=1 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201225450/https://ticotimes.net/2023/12/01/rodriguez-de-guevara-el-salvadors-new-interim-president |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.elsalvador.com/noticias/nacional/accion-ciudadana-constitucion-de-la-republica-elecciones-2024-felix-ulloa-nayib-bukele-reeleccion-sala-lo-constitucional-breaking-news/1071144/2023/|title="En El Fondo Todo Está Viciado", Dice Abogado Sobre la Inscripción de Bukele como Precandidato Presidencial|trans-title="Deep Down, Everything Is Flawed", Says Lawyer Regarding Bukele's Registration as a Presidential Pre-Candidate|language=es|date=26 June 2023|access-date=1 December 2023|work=La Prensa Gráfica|first1=Juan Carlos|last1=Mejía|archive-date=26 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626205019/https://www.elsalvador.com/noticias/nacional/accion-ciudadana-constitucion-de-la-republica-elecciones-2024-felix-ulloa-nayib-bukele-reeleccion-sala-lo-constitucional-breaking-news/1071144/2023/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.laprensagrafica.com/elsalvador/Constitucionalista-reitera-prohibicion-de-reeleccion-en-El-Salvador-20230215-0099.html|title=Constitucionalista Reitera Prohibición de Reelección en El Salvador|trans-title=Constitutionalist Reiterates the Prohibition of Re-election in El Salvador|language=es|date=16 February 2023|access-date=1 December 2023|work=La Prensa Gráfica|first1=Lissette|last1=Mondragón|archive-date=10 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110220715/https://www.laprensagrafica.com/elsalvador/Constitucionalista-reitera-prohibicion-de-reeleccion-en-El-Salvador-20230215-0099.html|url-status=live}} Although she assumed presidential powers and duties, she did not assume the office of president itself;{{cite web|url=https://diario.elmundo.sv/politica/designada-del-presidente-ya-sanciona-decretos-como-encargada-del-despacho|title=Designada del Presidente ya Sanciona Decretos como Encargada del Despacho|trans-title=Presidential Designate Now Sanctions Decrees as In Charge with the Office|language=es|date=14 December 2023|access-date=14 December 2023|work=El Mundo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214230336/https://diario.elmundo.sv/politica/designada-del-presidente-ya-sanciona-decretos-como-encargada-del-despacho|archive-date=14 December 2023|url-status=live}} her official title is the "Presidential Designate of the Republic in Charge of the Office" ("{{lang|es|Designada por el Presidente de la República, Encargada de Despacho}}").{{Cite news |date=7 December 2023 |title=Decreto 906 |language=es |trans-title=Decree 906 |volume=441 |page=7 |work=National Press of El Salvador |issue=230 |location=San Salvador, El Salvador |url=https://www.diariooficial.gob.sv/seleccion/31163 |access-date=14 December 2023 |archive-date=13 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213215456/https://www.diariooficial.gob.sv/seleccion/31163 |url-status=live }}

She was confirmed with 67 in favor and 11 against with 6 absent out of 84 votes.{{cite web|url=https://lanoticiasv.com/asamblea-concede-licencia-a-bukele-y-a-ulloa-y-nombra-como-designada-presidencial-a-claudia-rodriguez-de-guevara/|title=Asamblea Concede Licencia a Bukele y a Ulloa y Nombra como Designada Presidencial a Claudia Rodríguez de Guevara|trans-title=Assembly Concedes Leave of Absence to Bukele and Ulloa and Names Claudia Rodríguez de Guevara as Presidential Designate|language=es|date=30 November 2023|access-date=30 November 2023|work=La Noticia SV|first1=Griselda|last1=López|location=San Salvador, El Salvador|archive-date=1 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201210134/https://lanoticiasv.com/asamblea-concede-licencia-a-bukele-y-a-ulloa-y-nombra-como-designada-presidencial-a-claudia-rodriguez-de-guevara/|url-status=live}} She officially assumed her presidential powers on 1 December and she was described by various media outlets as the country's first female president, although in an acting capacity; she will maintain her powers until the end of the presidential term on 1 June 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.infobae.com/america/agencias/2023/12/01/secretaria-privada-de-bukele-ocupara-la-presidencia-durante-licencia-del-mandatario/|title=Secretaria Privada de Bukele Ocupará la Presidencia Durante Licencia del Mandatario|trans-title=Bukele's Private Secretary Will Occupy the Presidency During the Leave of Absence of the Incumbent|language=es|date=30 November 2023|access-date=30 November 2023|work=Infobae|archive-date=2 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202045440/https://www.infobae.com/america/agencias/2023/12/01/secretaria-privada-de-bukele-ocupara-la-presidencia-durante-licencia-del-mandatario/|url-status=live}} President of the Legislative Assembly Castro and Guillermo Gallegos, a deputy from the Grand Alliance for National Unity, contradicted each other as to whether Rodríguez was sworn in or not. Castro claimed that she was sworn in, although not publicly, stating that "it did not have to be public" ({{lang|es|no tenía que ser pública}}"). Meanwhile, Gallegos claimed that she was not sworn in as "she is simply the presidential designate, [...] it was determined that a swearing in was not necessary" ("{{lang|es|ella es simplemente la designada del presidente, [...] se determinó que no era necesario el juramentarla}}").{{cite web|url=https://www.elsalvador.com/noticias/nacional/contradiccion-entre-castro-y-gallegos-sobre-juramentacion-designada/1108871/2023/|title=Contradicción Entre Castro y Gallegos Sobre Juramentación de Presidenta Designada|trans-title=Contradiction Between Castro and Gallegos Regarding the Swearing In of the Designated President|language=es|date=6 December 2023|access-date=7 December 2023|work=El Diario de Hoy|first1=Susana|last1=Peñate|archive-date=7 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207233304/https://www.elsalvador.com/noticias/nacional/contradiccion-entre-castro-y-gallegos-sobre-juramentacion-designada/1108871/2023/|url-status=live}}

Rodríguez's appointment as presidential designate to temporarily assume presidential duties and powers was criticized by various lawyers, opposition politicians, and analysts.{{cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/el-salvador-elecciones_secretaria-privada-de-bukele-ocupar%C3%A1-la-presidencia-durante-licencia-del-mandatario/49021872|title=Secretaria Privada de Bukele Ocupará la Presidencia Durante Licencia del Mandatario|trans-title=Private Secretary of Bukele Will Occupy the Presidency During Leave of Absence of the Incumbent|language=es|date=1 December 2023|access-date=2 December 2023|work=Swiss Info|location=San Salvador, El Salvador|archive-date=2 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202102644/https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/el-salvador-elecciones_secretaria-privada-de-bukele-ocupar%C3%A1-la-presidencia-durante-licencia-del-mandatario/49021872|url-status=live}} Héctor Silva, the Nuestro Tiempo candidate for mayor of San Salvador wrote on X, "The current state of democracy in El Salvador: the office of the president of the Republic will by occupied by a person who nobody ever voted for" ("{{lang|es|Estado actual de la democracia en El Salvador: la oficina del presidente de la República la ocupará una persona por la que nadie votó nunca}}").{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/articles/c7255l8vx0vo|title=Quién es Claudia Juana Rodríguez de Guevara, la Presidenta Interina de El Salvador que Sustituirá a Bukele Durante su Licencia de 6 Meses|trans-title=Who is Claudia Juana Rodríguez de Guevara, the Interim President of El Salvador Who Will Substitute Bukele During His 6 Move Leave of Absence|language=es|date=1 December 2023|access-date=1 December 2023|work=BBC|archive-date=2 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202002342/https://www.bbc.com/mundo/articles/c7255l8vx0vo|url-status=live}} Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA) deputy to the Legislative Assembly César Reyes described Rodríguez as part of "President Bukele's inner circle" ("{{lang|es|círculo mas íntimo del presidente Bukele}}") and "a very unknown profile to everyone" ("{{lang|es|un perfil que no era muy conocido para todos}}") who "they installed to guard the throne [presidency]" ("{{lang|es|pusieron para que cuidara el trono}}").{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/world-news/general-news-e03108ba9371398ad529cf44b8259d1f|title=La Nueva Presidenta Interina de El Salvador Era Hasta Ayer la Secretaria Privada de Bukele|trans-title=The New Interim President of El Salvador Was Until Yesterday the Private Secretary of Bukele|language=es|date=1 December 2023|access-date=1 December 2023|work=Associated Press|archive-date=2 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202220548/https://apnews.com/world-news/general-news-e03108ba9371398ad529cf44b8259d1f|url-status=live}} Political analyst Carlos Araujo stated that "Only a naïve person would believe that [Rodríguez] is going to govern, he [Bukele] is not going to let go of power, he will be involved in reviewing what his ministers do. Asking for leave is just a mere appearance". Economist Julia Martínez stated that "Bukele is not going to let anyone ruin what he has done, and that’s why he proposed [Rodríguez], she is part of his circle of control". Lawyer Enrique Anaya posted on X that "if the designated lady [Rodríguez] actually exercises power in office, she is a USURPER, and not an acting president" ("{{lang|es|si la sra designada ejerce el cargo de hecho, será una USURPADORA, y no una presidenta en funciones}}"). Ricardo Vaquerano, a Salvadoran investigative journalist, stated that the acting president must be a deputy of the Legislative Assembly, and as Rodríguez is not a deputy, he argued that, as a result, "there is no president in El Salvador at this moment".{{cite web|url=https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-12-04/bukele-places-personal-secretary-as-interim-president-as-he-runs-for-reelection-in-el-salvador.html|title=Bukele Places Personal Secretary as Interim President as He Runs for Re-Election in El Salvador|language=en|date=4 December 2023|access-date=4 December 2023|work=El País|first1=Wilfredo|last1=Miranda|location=San José, Costa Rica|archive-date=4 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204205416/https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-12-04/bukele-places-personal-secretary-as-interim-president-as-he-runs-for-reelection-in-el-salvador.html|url-status=live}} According to some street interviews conducted in San Salvador by Voice of America, some Salvadorans doubt that Rodríguez would actually be governing the country and that instead Bukele would govern through Rodríguez.{{cite web|url=https://www.vozdeamerica.com/a/salvadorenos-creen-que-bukele-gobernara-a-traves-de-designada-durante-reeleccion-/7387092.html|title=Algunos Salvadoreños Creen que Bukele Gobernará a Través de Designada Durante Campaña de Reelección|trans-title=Some Salvadorans Believe the Bukele Will Govern Through the Designated President During His Re-Election Campaign|language=es|date=7 December 2023|access-date=7 December 2023|work=Voice of America|first1=Milton|last1=Rodríguez|location=San Salvador, El Salvador|archive-date=8 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208000845/https://www.vozdeamerica.com/a/salvadorenos-creen-que-bukele-gobernara-a-traves-de-designada-durante-reeleccion-/7387092.html|url-status=live}}

On 17 December 2023, Rodríguez accepted the resignation of Moisés Cabrera, the president of the board of directors of the Development Bank of El Salvador.{{cite web|url=https://diario.elmundo.sv/politica/designada-presidencial-acepta-renuncia-de-presidente-de-bandesal|title=Designada Presidencial Acepta Renuncia de Presidente de Bandesal|trans-title=Presidential Designee Accepts the Resignation of the President of Bandesal|language=es|date=11 January 2024|access-date=11 January 2024|work=El Mundo|archive-date=12 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112164453/https://diario.elmundo.sv/politica/designada-presidencial-acepta-renuncia-de-presidente-de-bandesal|url-status=live}} On 22 December, she appointed Nelson Rivas as Cabrera's successor.{{cite web|url=https://diario.elmundo.sv/politica/designada-nombra-a-nuevo-presidente-de-bandesal|title=Designada Nombra a Nuevo Presidente de Bandesal|trans-title=Designee Names a New President to Bandesal|language=es|date=17 January 2024|access-date=17 January 2024|work=El Mundo|first1=Yolanda|last1=Magaña|archive-date=17 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117171607/https://diario.elmundo.sv/politica/designada-nombra-a-nuevo-presidente-de-bandesal|url-status=live}} On 6 May 2024, she appointed Mauricio Calderón Sansivirini as the president of the Salvadoran Institute of Coffee.{{cite web|url=https://diario.elmundo.sv/politica/designada-de-bukele-nombra-a-nuevo-presidente-del-isc|title=Designada de Bukele Nombra a Nuevo Presidente del ISC|trans-title=Bukele's Designate Names a New ISC President|language=es|date=20 May 2024|access-date=7 November 2024|work=El Mundo|first1=Yolanda|last1=Magaña}}

Personal life

Rodríguez's brother, Douglas Rodríguez Fuentes, is currently the president of the Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador,{{cite web|url=https://www.elsalvador.com/noticias/nacional/persona-de-confianza-las-finanzas-bukele-asume-como-designada-presidencial/1107733/2023/|title=Persona Artífice de las Cuentas Reservadas de Bukele Asume la Presidencia|trans-title=Architect of Bukele's Reserve Accounts Assumes the Presidency|language=es|date=1 December 2023|access-date=1 December 2023|work=El Diario de Hoy|first1=Susana|last1=Peñate|archive-date=2 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202035345/https://www.elsalvador.com/noticias/nacional/persona-de-confianza-las-finanzas-bukele-asume-como-designada-presidencial/1107733/2023/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://historico.elsalvador.com/historico/760532/gabinete-nayib-bukele-nuevas-ideas.html|title=Bukele Gobierna con 30 Funcionarios que Fueron sus Colaboradores en dos Alcaldías|trans-title=Bukele Governs with 30 Workers Who Were His Collaborators in Two Mayorships|language=es|date=4 October 2020|access-date=1 December 2023|work=El Diario de Hoy|first1=Jorge|last1=Beltrán Luna|archive-date=2 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202052233/https://historico.elsalvador.com/historico/760532/gabinete-nayib-bukele-nuevas-ideas.html|url-status=live}} having served since 19 September 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.bcr.gob.sv/esp/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=93&Itemid=237|title=Galeria Presidentes|trans-title=Gallery of Presidents|language=es|date=28 March 2012|access-date=1 December 2023|work=Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921111847/https://www.bcr.gob.sv/esp/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=93&Itemid=237|archive-date=21 September 2021}}

References

External links

{{cite web|url=https://www.univision.com/noticias/quien-es-claudia-rodriguez-la-primera-mujer-que-preside-el-salvador-temporalmente-video|title=Quién es Claudia Rodríguez, la Primera Mujer que Preside El Salvador (Temporalmente)|trans-title=Who is Claudia Rodríguez, the First Woman who Presides Over El Salvador (Temporarily)|language=es|date=1 December 2023|access-date=1 December 2023|work=Univision}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A8xcL9niR4|title=Salvadoreños no Habían Oído de Claudia Rodríguez, Quien Ahora Dirige su País {{!}} Noticias Telemundo|trans-title=Salvadorans Have Not Heard of Claudia Rodríguez, Who Now Leads Her Country {{!}} Telemundo News|language=es|date=3 December 2023|access-date=5 December 2023|work=Telemundo}}

{{s-ttl|title=Presidential designate of El Salvador|years=2023–present}}

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Category:1980 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century presidents of El Salvador

Category:21st-century Salvadoran politicians

Category:21st-century Salvadoran women politicians

Category:Date of birth missing (living people)

Category:Female heads of state

Category:First women presidents in North America

Category:Presidents of El Salvador

Category:Women presidents in North America