Enrique Peralta Azurdia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Colonel
Enrique Peralta Azurdia
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| Head of Government and Prime Minister of Guatemala | |
| In office March 31, 1963 – July 1, 1966 |
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| Preceded by | Miguel Ydígoras Fuentes |
| Succeeded by | Julio César Méndez |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 17, 1908 Guatemala City, Guatemala |
| Died | February 18, 1997 (aged 88) Florida, United States |
| Political party | Institutional Democratic Party |
| Other political affiliations |
National Liberation Movement |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Guatemala |
| Branch/service | Guatemalan Army |
| Rank | Colonel |
Colonel Alfredo Enrique Peralta Azurdia (June 17, 1908 – February 18, 1997) was an important leader in Guatemala. He served as the Head of Government of Guatemala from March 31, 1963, to July 1, 1966.
Enrique Peralta was born in Guatemala City on June 17, 1908. He became the leader of Guatemala after a sudden change in government. Before that, he worked as the Minister of Agriculture and then the Minister of Defense for the previous president, Miguel Ydígoras Fuentes. Peralta later helped create the Institutional Democratic Party. This party was pro-military and played a big role in Guatemalan politics for many years.
Contents
About Enrique Peralta Azurdia
Early Life and Education
Enrique Peralta was born in Guatemala City on June 17, 1908. He went to the Escuela Politécnica, which is a military academy. After his studies, he joined the Guatemalan Army in 1926.
His Career Before Becoming Leader
Peralta had a long career in the military and in government. He worked as a military attaché in different countries. This means he was a military expert working at embassies in places like Mexico, Chile, and the United States. Later, he became a plenipotentiary, which is a high-ranking diplomat, in countries like Cuba and El Salvador.
In 1958, Peralta started working for President Miguel Ydígoras Fuentes. He was the Director General of Agricultural Affairs. From 1959 to 1960, he served as the Minister of Agriculture. Then, from 1961 to 1963, he was the Minister of Defense.
How He Became Head of Government
On March 31, 1963, Peralta took control of the government through a coup d'état. This means he used military force to remove the current president, Ydígoras. Peralta's goal was to prevent what he saw as political instability in the country. He also wanted to stop a former president, Juan José Arévalo, from returning to power.
As Head of Government
After taking power, Peralta made some big changes. He stopped the Constitution from being active for a while. He also closed the Congress and banned the Communist Party.
However, in 1964, he made some things less strict. He allowed the news to be reported more freely and ended the state of emergency. That same year, he called for new elections for a special assembly to create a new constitution. Only two political groups were allowed to participate: the National Liberation Movement (MLN) and the Revolutionary Party (PR).
During his time as leader, Peralta's government continued to fight against rebel groups in the Guatemalan Civil War. His government supported groups that worked to stop people who disagreed with the government. A very serious event happened in March 1966. Many trade union members and political party members were taken by security forces and then disappeared. This was a very sad and serious event where many people went missing.
In 1965, a new Constitution for Guatemala was approved. Then, in March 1966, new general elections were held. Peralta's supporters, the Institutional Democratic Party (PID), ran against the PR. The PR candidate, Julio César Méndez Montenegro, won the election. Peralta peacefully handed over power to Méndez on July 1, 1966.
Later Life and Death
After leaving office, Peralta tried to become president again in the 1978 elections. He was a candidate for the MLN, but he did not win.
Alfredo Enrique Peralta Azurdia passed away on February 18, 1997, in Miami, Florida.
See also
In Spanish: Enrique Peralta Azurdia para niños
