Washington, January 17 (RHC)-- The former U.S. ambassador to El Salvador, Robert White, has died at the age of 88.

White served as Washington's representative to the Central American country under the presidency of Jimmy Carter. He was harshly critical of the Salvadorian government and accused the military and paramilitaries of committing widespread atrocities against civilians, many of which were later confirmed. He once called prominent military figure Roberto D'Aubuisson a "pathological killer." D'Aubuisson was widely suspected of collaboration with death squad killings including the assassination of Archbishop Óscar Romero.

In 1981, White was fired by in-coming U.S. President Ronald Reagan after he refused to cover up the Salvadoran military's responsibility for the murders of four American women who were Maryknoll church workers.

Ambassador Robert White was at the site of the nun's murder when the women’s bodies were dug up. He was quoted as saying: "This time the bastards won’t get away with it."