Pedro Pablo Ramírez

Pedro Pablo Ramírez Menchaca (30 January 1884 – 12 May 1962) was the fascist-leaning President of Argentina from 7 June 1943, to 24 February 1944. He was the founder and leader of Guardia Nacional, Argentina's fascist militia.^[1]

Pedro Pablo Ramírez
President of Argentina
De facto
In office 7 June 1943 – 23 February 1944
Appointed by	Military junta
Vice President	Sabá Sueyro (Jun–Oct 1943) Edelmiro Julián Farrell (1943–1944)
Preceded by	Arturo Rawson (de facto)
Succeeded by	Edelmiro Julián Farrell (de facto)
Personal details
Born	30 January 1884 La Paz, Entre Ríos
Died	12 May 1962(1962-05-12) (aged 78) Buenos Aires
Nationality	Argentine
Spouse	María Inés Lobato Mulle
Profession	Military
Signature
Military service
Branch/service	Argentine Army
Years of service	1904–1944
Rank	Major General

Life and career

After graduating from the Argentine military college in 1904 as a second lieutenant, Ramírez was promoted in 1910 as first lieutenant of the cavalry. In 1911, he was sent to Germany for training with the Fifth Hussars cavalry in Kaiser Wilhelm II's Prussian Army. He returned home in 1913, with a German wife, prior to the outbreak of World War I.^[2] Advancing in rank as a specialist in cavalry tactics, he assisted fellow General José Félix Uriburu in an authoritarian coup that deposed Hipólito Yrigoyen in 1930. Ramírez was sent to Rome to observe Mussolini's army until his return in 1932.^{[citation needed]}

When Uriburu set free elections and then died, General Ramírez worked behind the scenes to plan a return of fascism to Argentina. Over the next several years, he organized the Milicia Nacionalista (later the Guardia), and authored a program for a state ruled by the militia. In 1942, Ramírez was appointed War Minister by President Ramón Castillo, and began to reorganize the Argentine Army. At the same time, the Guardia Nacional joined with another party to form "Recuperacion Nacional," a fascist political party. Castillo fired Ramírez following a cabinet meeting on 18 May 1943. Two weeks later, on 4 June 1943, Ramírez assisted Arturo Rawson in overthrowing Castillo's government, and was again made Minister of War. Three days later, on 7 June Ramírez forced Rawson's resignation and maintained Argentina's neutrality during World War II. Because of this, the United States refused Argentine requests for Lend-Lease aid. Argentina finally declared war on Germany and Japan during the government of Edelmiro Farrell.^{[citation needed]}

Despite having been brought to power through a coup d'état, Peronist historiography never calls him a dictator.^[3]

In popular culture

• Ramírez makes a brief appearance in the film Evita during the song "The Lady's Got Potential", which depicts Juan Perón's rise to power. Here he is depicted as a very elderly man, played by Héctor Malamud.

References

1. Current Biography 1943, p. 608
2. Current Biography 1943, pp. 608-611
3. Mendelevich, Pablo (2010). El Final. Buenos Aires: Ediciones B. p. 147. ISBN 978-987-627-166-0.

External links

• Pedro Pablo Ramírez at Find a Grave
• Newspaper clippings about Pedro Pablo Ramírez in the 20th Century Press Archives of the ZBW

Political offices
Preceded by Arturo Rawson	President of Argentina 1943–1944	Succeeded by Edelmiro Farrell