[1][2][3][4] Born in Santa Elena, Usulutan, Saca is of Palestinian descent on his father's side, from a family of Catholic immigrants who arrived in El Salvador in the early 20th century from the town of Bethlehem.

In the election, Saca defeated leftist Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN) candidate, Schafik Hándal, also of Arab descent.

The election results were: In August 2004, President of the Republic of China Chen Shui-bian awarded Saca the Order of Brilliant Jade with Grand Cordon.

[12] Many attribute Saca's pro-U.S. attitude to the fact that he was openly supported by members of the Republican Party and the George W. Bush Administration during his political campaign in the 2004 elections.

[13] The FMLN accused the United States of intervening in the electoral process because several high-ranking officials warned that U.S. relations with El Salvador would be seriously threatened if Handal won the elections.

This opinion was reinforced by the fact that ARENA assured that the United States could deport Salvadorans living there if the leftist candidate won.

According to the cable: "While the Salvadoran public may be inured to self-serving behavior by politicians, many in ARENA believe that the brazen manner in which Saca and his people are widely perceived to have used their positions for personal enrichment went beyond the pale.

[20] The initial hearing was held in the Fourth Court of Peace of San Salvador, in three sessions, one per day, resulting that on Saturday, 5 November, the Judge ordered the continuation of the process to the stage of investigation and the detention of those involved, including Saca.

[citation needed] On 12 September 2018, Saca received a 10-year prison sentence after he pled guilty to embezzlement and money laundering charges involving more than $300 million of public funds.

[1] On 18 September 2019, Saca received two more years in prison after pleading guilty to attempting to bribe a court employee with around $10,000 in exchange for information concerning a charge brought against him.

[4] The Supreme Court also upheld convictions against three former officials from Saca's inner circle and three his former presidential employees,[4] and also ordered them to return stolen money as well.

[21] On 4 June 2021, Ana Ligia de Saca and her brother Oscar Edgardo Sol Mixco would be sentenced to 10 years in prison after being found guilty of money laundering and were ordered to repay $17.6 million to the Salvadoran government.