We Lebanese are known to export one thing: ourselves!
With a diaspora estimated at over 10 million people, it is no wonder that some of the Lebanese people who migrated became presidents in other countries, or had offsprings who became presidents.
We counted no less that 6 presidents (4 of them in Ecuador alone) and 5 vice presidents who have Lebanese origins in Latin America and the Caribbeans since… 1944.
You probably heard of Michel Temer, who was president of Brazil from 2016 till 2018 (and who got arrested this past March 21 on corruption charges).
But did you know about Abdalà Bucaram, who was president of Ecuador in 1996-1997? He was nicknamed El Loco (the crazy one), and was removed from office after being declared mentally unfit to rule by the Congress.
On the plus side, some executives are not remembered for their corrupt practices, but rather for the good work they did. In Jamaica, Edward Seaga, who was Prime minister from 1980 to 1989, is considered one of the founding fathers of the nation and participated to the writing of the constitution in 1961. He is still pretty much respected in the country.
Here is a list of the other presidents, vice presidents and Prime Ministers of Lebanese origins in Latin America and the Caribbeans.
Michel Temer, Brazil , 31 August 2016 – 31 December 2018
Julio César Turbay, Colombia, 1978 to 1982
Abdalá Bucaram, Ecuador, August 1996 – February 1997
Jamil Mahuad, Ecuador, August of 1998- January of 2000
Julio Teodoro Salem, Ecuador, May 29 – May 31, 1944
Edward Seaga, Jamaica, from 1980 to 1989, Prime Minister
José Maria Alkmin, Brazil, 1964-1967, VicePresident
Alberto Abdala, Uruguay, 1967–1972, Vice President
Alberto Dahik – Ecuador, August 10, 1992 – October 11, 1995, Vice President
Elías José Jaua Milano, Venezuela, January 2010 – October 2012, Vice President
Jacobo Majluta Azar, Dominican Republic, 16 August 1978 – 4 July 1982, Vice President
Text: Morgan Hamdan with L&F