Fidel Sánchez Hernández Facts for Kids

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal family name is Sánchez and the second or maternal family name is Hernández.

Quick facts for kids General Fidel Sánchez Hernández


32nd President of El Salvador
In office 1 July 1967 – 1 July 1972
Vice President	Humberto Guillermo Cuestas
Preceded by	Julio Adalberto Rivera
Succeeded by	Arturo Armando Molina
Minister of the Interior
In office 1 July 1962 – 1 July 1967
President	Julio Adalberto Rivera
Succeeded by	Francisco Armando Arias

Personal details
Born	7 July 1917 El Divisadero, El Salvador
Died	28 February 2003(2003-02-28) (aged 85) San Salvador, El Salvador
Political party	National Conciliation Party
Spouse	Marina Uriarte
Children	4
Parents	Vicente Sánchez Estrada Teresa Hernández Echeverría
Occupation	Military, politician
Military service
Allegiance	El Salvador
Branch/service	Salvadoran Army
Years of service	?–?
Rank	General
Battles/wars	Football War

Fidel Sánchez Hernández (born July 7, 1917 – died February 28, 2003) was a military general and a politician from El Salvador. He served as the president of El Salvador from 1967 to 1972. During his time as president, El Salvador faced a war and some tough economic times.

Early Life and Military Career
Becoming President
Challenges During His Presidency
Later Life and Death
Images for kids
See also

Early Life and Military Career

Fidel Sánchez Hernández was born in El Divisadero, El Salvador. Before he became president, he was a general in the Salvadoran army. He also worked as a military attaché in other countries. A military attaché is like a military advisor who works in an embassy. He served in this role in Washington D.C. and Paris.

In 1962, President Julio Adalberto Rivera made him the Minister of the Interior. This job involves managing the country's internal affairs, like security and local government. Sánchez Hernández held this position until 1967. After that, he became the next president, taking over from Rivera.

Becoming President

When Sánchez Hernández became president in 1967, he continued many of the programs started by the previous president, Julio Adalberto Rivera. He also chose many non-military people to be part of his government, which was a new approach.

The election in 1967 was seen by some as one of the few fair elections during that time when the military often controlled politics. In the next year, 1968, other political parties gained more votes in local and national elections. This made it seem like El Salvador was becoming more democratic, meaning people would have more say in their government. However, this trend did not continue, and elections in the 1970s were often unfair.

Challenges During His Presidency

One of the biggest challenges during Sánchez Hernández's time as president was a short but intense conflict. In July 1969, he led the Salvadoran Army in a war against Honduras. This war is famously known as the Football War. It got this name because it happened right after some heated football matches between the two countries.

The Salvadoran army had a lot of success early on, taking control of a large part of Honduras. However, a group called the Organization of American States (OAS) helped arrange a cease-fire. A cease-fire is an agreement to stop fighting. Sánchez Hernández agreed to pull his troops out of Honduras. This decision was not popular with some of his military leaders.

The war with Honduras caused many problems for El Salvador's economy. Many Salvadorans who had been living in Honduras had to leave and return to El Salvador. These people are called refugees. Also, Honduras closed its borders, which stopped trade routes. This made it harder for El Salvador to get goods and money.

Sánchez Hernández remained president until 1972. After his term, Colonel Arturo Armando Molina became the next president.

Later Life and Death

Fidel Sánchez Hernández passed away on February 28, 2003. He was 85 years old. He died from a heart attack while being taken to a hospital in San Salvador, El Salvador.