Salvador Jorge Blanco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Salvador Jorge Blanco
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Salvador Jorge Blanco, 1982
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| President of the Dominican Republic | |
| In office August 16, 1982 – August 16, 1986 |
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| Vice President | Manuel Fernández Mármol (1982–1983) Vacant (1983–1986) |
| Preceded by | Jacobo Majluta |
| Succeeded by | Joaquín Balaguer |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 5, 1926 Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic |
| Died | December 26, 2010 (aged 84) Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
| Political party | Revolutionary |
| Spouse |
Asela Mera de Jorge
(m. 1957; |
| Relations | Patricia Villegas (daughter-in-law) Orlando Jorge Villegas (grandson) Marcos Augusto Jorge Elías (second cousin) Sarah Jorge León (second cousin-once removed) |
| Children | Orlando Jorge Mera (son) Dilia Leticia Jorge Mera (daughter) |
José Salvador Omar Jorge Blanco (born July 5, 1926 – died December 26, 2010) was an important figure in the Dominican Republic. He was a politician, a lawyer, and a writer. He served as the President of the Dominican Republic from 1982 to 1986. Before becoming president, he was a Senator for the PRD party. He began his political journey in 1963 and joined the PRD in 1964.
Contents
Early Life and Schooling
Salvador Jorge Blanco was born in Santiago de los Caballeros on July 5, 1926. His parents were Dilia Limbert Blanco Polanco and Pedro María Jorge Arias. He attended Ercilia Pepin for primary school. Later, he went to Ulises Francisco Espaillat high school.
He studied Law at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo. In 1951, he earned a special degree in International Law from the Complutense University of Madrid in Spain. Besides his studies, Jorge Blanco was also a talented musician. He played instruments like the piano and the cello.
Family Life and Early Career
On December 27, 1957, Jorge Blanco married Asela Mera de Jorge. They had two children, Orlando Jorge Mera and Dilia Leticia Jorge Mera. His daughter, Dilia Leticia, became a lawyer. His son, Orlando, later became a leader in the Dominican Revolutionary Party.
After a dictatorship ended in 1961, Jorge Blanco opened his own law firm. He quickly became involved in politics. He joined a group called the National Civic Union. In 1963, after the president was removed from office, he joined a movement to bring back the country's constitution. In 1964, he officially joined the Dominican Revolutionary Party. He held many important roles within the party.
Leading the Country: President Jorge Blanco
Salvador Jorge Blanco became president in 1982. He took over from Jacobo Majluta Azar, who was also from the PRD party. When Jorge Blanco became president, his party had a majority in both parts of the government. This meant many people hoped he could make big changes.
Economic Challenges and Public Response
During his time as president, the Dominican Republic faced tough economic times. These challenges were largely due to global economic issues. In April 1984, the government had to raise prices on many goods. This was part of an economic plan approved by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). These price increases led to large protests and some unrest. This made it harder for his government to show its commitment to civil and human rights.
In 1985, the country's economy actually shrank. This was the first time this had happened since the civil war in 1965. This showed how difficult the economic situation was during his presidency.
Party Leadership and Difficulties
In November 1985, the PRD party held an election to choose its next presidential candidate. This election was meant to show the party's commitment to democracy. However, the process ended without a clear winner. There was an incident at the hotel where votes were being counted. This made it hard for the party to move forward smoothly.
After the Presidency
After his term ended in 1986, many people thought Salvador Jorge Blanco was a very promising political leader. However, he later faced questions about how some government purchases were handled. These questions were about equipment bought for the armed forces.
In April 1987, he sought safety at the Venezuelan embassy. He then became ill and needed medical treatment abroad. He was allowed to leave for the United States for medical care.
Legal Review and Outcome
Later, in November 1988, the president who took over from him, Joaquín Balaguer, brought legal action against Jorge Blanco. The case was televised, and Jorge Blanco was found guilty while he was not present. He was ordered to pay a large fine and sentenced to many years in jail.
However, in May 2001, the Supreme Court reviewed his case. They found that his rights had been violated during the process. Because of this, his conviction was overturned. Jorge Blanco always said he was innocent. He believed the legal actions against him were due to political reasons.
Passing Away
On November 25, 2010, former President Jorge Blanco had a fall. He hit his head, which caused a serious internal bleed. He was taken to the hospital. He remained in a coma for 37 days. On the morning of December 26, 2010, he passed away.
See also
In Spanish: Salvador Jorge Blanco para niños
