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Mature Central American wrote off national leader (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ripened

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'mature' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for ripened that I've seen before include "Matured, aged" , "(Of fruit) matured" , "Became mature" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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