Nicaraguan President, Military Leader. After the end of United States military intervention in Nicaragua in 1933, he rose to power as head of the national guard. Though himself a member of the Liberal party, Somoza, in 1936, engineered a successful coup against the incumbent Liberal regime of Juan Bautista Sacasa, who he believed was a weak leader. In 1937, he formally assumed the presidency. Somoza resigned in 1947, but before a month had elapsed, he ousted his successor Leonardo Arguello and installed one of his wife's uncles as president. In 1948, he was accused by Costa Rica of aiding a group of rebels bent on overthrowing the liberal regime of Jose Figueres Ferrer, who had backed the Caribbean Legion, a group of individuals who had tried to oust Somoza earlier. The Organization of American States investigated the charges, ruled in favor of Costa Rica, and reprimanded Somoza. Undeterred, Somoza had himself reelected in 1950 over the weak opposition of Emiliano Chamorro and continued his dictatorial rule and provocations against Costa Rica and Figueres Ferrer. He did maintain, however, very cordial relations with the United States. On September 21, 1956, Somoza was shot by Rigoberto Lopez Perez, a 27-year-old journalist and typesetter, and he passed away eight days later from his wounds. His assassin was slain by presidential guards after the shooting. His son, Luis Somoza Debayle, succeeded him to the presidency.
Nicaraguan President, Military Leader. After the end of United States military intervention in Nicaragua in 1933, he rose to power as head of the national guard. Though himself a member of the Liberal party, Somoza, in 1936, engineered a successful coup against the incumbent Liberal regime of Juan Bautista Sacasa, who he believed was a weak leader. In 1937, he formally assumed the presidency. Somoza resigned in 1947, but before a month had elapsed, he ousted his successor Leonardo Arguello and installed one of his wife's uncles as president. In 1948, he was accused by Costa Rica of aiding a group of rebels bent on overthrowing the liberal regime of Jose Figueres Ferrer, who had backed the Caribbean Legion, a group of individuals who had tried to oust Somoza earlier. The Organization of American States investigated the charges, ruled in favor of Costa Rica, and reprimanded Somoza. Undeterred, Somoza had himself reelected in 1950 over the weak opposition of Emiliano Chamorro and continued his dictatorial rule and provocations against Costa Rica and Figueres Ferrer. He did maintain, however, very cordial relations with the United States. On September 21, 1956, Somoza was shot by Rigoberto Lopez Perez, a 27-year-old journalist and typesetter, and he passed away eight days later from his wounds. His assassin was slain by presidential guards after the shooting. His son, Luis Somoza Debayle, succeeded him to the presidency.
Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye
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