Anastasio Somoza Debayle
President of Nicaragua (1967–72, 1974–79) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Anastasio "Tachito" Somoza Debayle (Spanish: [anasˈtasjo soˈmosa ðeˈβajle]; 5 December 1925 – 17 September 1980) was the 53rd President of Nicaragua from 1967 to 1972 and again from 1974 to 1979.[1] As head of the National Guard, he was de facto ruler of the country between 1967 and 1979, even during the period when he was not the de jure ruler.
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Anastasio Somoza Debayle | |
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Somoza in July 1968 | |
53rd President of Nicaragua | |
In office 1 December 1974 – 17 July 1979 | |
Vice President | Vacant |
Preceded by | Liberal-Conservative Junta |
Succeeded by | Francisco Urcuyo (Acting) |
In office 1 May 1967 – 1 May 1972 | |
Vice President |
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Preceded by | Lorenzo Guerrero Gutiérrez |
Succeeded by | Liberal-Conservative Junta |
Personal details | |
Born | (1925-12-05)5 December 1925 León, Nicaragua |
Died | 17 September 1980(1980-09-17) (aged 54) Asunción, Paraguay |
Manner of death | Assassination |
Resting place | Caballero Rivero Woodlawn Park North Cemetery and Mausoleum |
Political party | Nationalist Liberal Party (PLN) |
Spouse | |
Children | Anastasio Somoza Portocarrero, Julio Somoza Portocarrero, Carolina Somoza Portocarrero, Carla Somoza Portocarrero, Roberto Somoza Portocarrero |
Parents |
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Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | National Guard |
Years of service | 1946–1979 |
Rank | Major general |
Battles/wars | Nicaraguan Revolution |
Somoza Debayle succeeded his older brother, Luis Somoza Debayle, in office. He was the last member of the Somoza family to be president, ending a dynasty that had been in power since 1937. After insurgents led by the Sandinista National Liberation Front (Spanish: Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional; FSLN) were closing in on Managua in July 1979, Somoza fled Nicaragua. Power was ceded to the Junta of National Reconstruction. He was assassinated in 1980 while in exile in Paraguay.