1972 Salvadoran coup attempt

1972 Salvadoran coup attempt
Part of the prelude to the Salvadoran Civil War
Date 25–26 March 1972 Location El Salvador Result Coup attempt suppressed
Belligerents
Salvadoran government Armed Forces (loyalist faction)	Armed Forces (rebel faction)
Commanders and leaders
Fidel Sánchez Hernández Arturo Armando Molina	José Napoleón Duarte Benjamin Mejía
Casualties and losses
200 dead

The 1972 Salvadoran coup attempt occurred from 25 to 26 March 1972 when young military officers attempted to overthrow the government of Fidel Sánchez Hernández, prevent the presidency of Arturo Armando Molina, and proclaim José Napoleón Duarte as President of El Salvador. The coup was suppressed and its leaders were exiled from the country.