Taur Matan Ruak | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2018 | |
| 8th Prime Minister of East Timor | |
| In office 22 June 2018 – 1 July 2023 | |
| President | Francisco Guterres José Ramos-Horta |
| Deputy | Armanda Berta dos Santos José Maria dos Reis |
| Preceded by | Mari Alkatiri |
| Succeeded by | Xanana Gusmão |
| 5th President of East Timor | |
| In office 20 May 2012 – 20 May 2017 | |
| Prime Minister | Xanana Gusmão Rui Maria de Araújo |
| Preceded by | José Ramos-Horta |
| Succeeded by | Francisco Guterres |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 October 1956 Baguia, Portuguese Timor (now East Timor) |
| Political party | People's Liberation Party |
| Other political affiliations | Independent (before 2017) |
| Spouse | |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  East Timor |
| Years of service | 1975–2011 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands | Ponta Leste Sector Falintil Timor Leste Defence Force |
| Battles/wars | Indonesian occupation of East Timor |
José Maria de Vasconcelos GColIH (born 10 October 1956), popularly known as Taur Matan Ruak (Tetum for "Two Sharp Eyes"), is an East Timorese politician who served as 8th prime minister of East Timor from 2018 to 2023. He also served as 5th president of East Timor from 2012 to 2017.
Before entering politics, he was the commander of the FALINTIL-Forças de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL), the military of East Timor, from 2002 until 6 October 2011. Prior to serving in the F-FDTL, he was the last commander of the Armed Forces of National Liberation of East Timor or FALINTIL (Forças Armadas para a Liberação Nacional de Timor Leste), the insurgent army that resisted the Indonesian occupation of the territory from 1975 to 1999. Leaving the military in 2011, he stood as an independent candidate in the 2012 presidential election and prevailed in the second round of the vote, held in April 2012.[1]
- ^ Everingham, Sara (19 April 2012). "Taur Matan Ruak claims victory in East Timor election". PM. Retrieved 19 April 2012.