Colonel Arturo Armando Molina | |
|---|---|
 Molina c. 1972–1977 | |
| 71st President of El Salvador | |
| In office 1 July 1972 – 1 July 1977 | |
| Vice President | Enrique Mayorga Rivas |
| Preceded by | Fidel Sánchez Hernández |
| Succeeded by | Carlos Humberto Romero |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 August 1927 San Salvador, El Salvador |
| Died | 18 July 2021 (aged 93) California, United States |
| Political party | National Conciliation Party |
| Spouse | María Elena Contreras de Molina |
| Alma mater | Captain General Gerardo Barrios Military School |
| Profession | Military officer Politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  El Salvador |
| Branch/service | Salvadoran Army |
| Rank | Colonel |
Colonel Arturo Armando Molina Barraza (6 August 1927 – 18 July 2021)[1] was a Salvadoran politician and military officer, who served as President of El Salvador from 1972 to 1977.
He was born in San Salvador.[2] He served between 1 July 1972 and 1 July 1977.[3] The 1973 oil crisis led to rising food prices and decreased agricultural output. This worsened the existent socioeconomic inequality in the country, leading to increased unrest. In response, Molina enacted a series of land reform measures, calling for large landholdings to be redistributed among the peasant population.[4]
Molina was distrusted by the oligarchy and the right-wing military, and was resented by the opposition from whom he had stolen power. His attempts to silence opposition included the military occupation of the University of El Salvador in 1972, as well as violently suppressing student protests that erupted after public funds were used to hold the Miss Universe contest in San Salvador. He also oversaw assassinations of priests in the country. His regime saw extreme polarization and violence in the country. His tenure ended in 1977, and then he left the country. Molina returned to El Salvador in 1992.[5]
He died on 18 July 2021 in California, at the age of 93.[6][7]
- ^ Studies, Arizona State University Center for Latin American (4 August 1975). "Latin American Government Leaders". Center for Latin American Studies, Arizona State University – via Google Books.
- ^ "Una veintena hizo carrera como funcionario". Archived from the original on 25 February 2012.
- ^ "Cnel. Arturo Armando Molina — Asamblea Legislativa". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
- ^ Walter, Williams (1997). Militarization and Demilitarization in El Salvador’s Transition to Democracy. p. 90.
- ^ "Molina, Arturo Armando (1927–) | Encyclopedia.com".
- ^ Alvarado, Irvin (19 July 2023). "Fallece expresidente salvadoreño Arturo Armando Molina, a los 93 años" [Ex-President of El Salvador Arturo Armando Molina Dies At The Age of 93]. La Prensa Gráfica (in Spanish). Retrieved 1 September 2023.
- ^ Villaroel, Gabriela; Romero, Óscar (19 July 2021). "Muere Arturo Armando Molina, expresidente de El Salvador" [Arturo Armando Molina, Ex-President of El Salvador, Dies]. El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 1 September 2023.