Panamanian Diplomat. Politician. Lawyer. Journalist. Roberto Emilio Arias Guardia was born into one of Panama's most politically influential families. He attended primary school at Peddie School in Hightstown, New Jersey, USA, and then took his law degree from St. John's College, Cambridge, England. He was editor of the newspaper Panama America (1942-46) before serving as a counselor at the Panamanian Embassy in Chile and then as a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly. After marrying dancer Margot Fonteyn in 1955, he was appointed Ambassador to England. Arias resigned the post in 1958 due to disagreements with President Ernesto de la Guardia. In 1959, he was charged with gun-smuggling and accused of an attempted coup against de la Guardia. He and Fonteyn were deported to England, but later returned to Panama after the charges were dropped. (Information declassified by the British government in 2010, confirms that Arias did participate in the failed Cuban supported overthrow, and that Fonteyn herself was complicit.) He was reappointed Ambassador to England (1960-62) by President Roberto Chiari. In 1964, he was elected to the National Assembly. Only 2 months later, he was shot by a former associate over what was believed to be an affair between his wife and Arias. Arias survived but remained a quadriplegic for the remainder of his life. He had 3 children from a first marriage and 6 grandchildren.
Panamanian Diplomat. Politician. Lawyer. Journalist. Roberto Emilio Arias Guardia was born into one of Panama's most politically influential families. He attended primary school at Peddie School in Hightstown, New Jersey, USA, and then took his law degree from St. John's College, Cambridge, England. He was editor of the newspaper Panama America (1942-46) before serving as a counselor at the Panamanian Embassy in Chile and then as a delegate to the United Nations General Assembly. After marrying dancer Margot Fonteyn in 1955, he was appointed Ambassador to England. Arias resigned the post in 1958 due to disagreements with President Ernesto de la Guardia. In 1959, he was charged with gun-smuggling and accused of an attempted coup against de la Guardia. He and Fonteyn were deported to England, but later returned to Panama after the charges were dropped. (Information declassified by the British government in 2010, confirms that Arias did participate in the failed Cuban supported overthrow, and that Fonteyn herself was complicit.) He was reappointed Ambassador to England (1960-62) by President Roberto Chiari. In 1964, he was elected to the National Assembly. Only 2 months later, he was shot by a former associate over what was believed to be an affair between his wife and Arias. Arias survived but remained a quadriplegic for the remainder of his life. He had 3 children from a first marriage and 6 grandchildren.
Bio by: BluGraver
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