Arturo Armando Molina

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.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Molina and the second or maternal family name is Barraza.

Arturo Armando Molina
36th President of El Salvador
In office
1 July 1972 – 1 July 1977
Vice PresidentEnrique Mayorga Rivas
Preceded byFidel Sánchez Hernández
Succeeded byCarlos Humberto Romero
Personal details
Born(1927-08-06)6 August 1927
San Salvador, El Salvador
Died18 July 2021(2021-07-18) (aged 93)
California, United States
Political partyNational Conciliation Party
SpouseMaría Elena Contreras de Molina
Alma materCaptain General Gerardo Barrios Military School
ProfessionMilitary officer
Politician
Military service
Allegiance El Salvador
Branch/serviceSalvadoran Army
RankColonel

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]

See also

References
  1. 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.
  2. "Una veintena hizo carrera como funcionario". Archived from the original on 25 February 2012.
  3. "Cnel. Arturo Armando Molina — Asamblea Legislativa". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  4. Walter, Williams (1997). Militarization and Demilitarization in El Salvador’s Transition to Democracy. p. 90.
  5. "Molina, Arturo Armando (1927–) | Encyclopedia.com".
  6. 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.
  7. 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.


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