Alberto Fuentes Mohr
Encyclopedia
Alberto Fuentes Mohr was a Guatemala
n economist and politician, one of the founders of the Social Democratic Party. He also served as finance minister
and foreign minister
during the 1960s.
on 22 November 1927 as the son Dr. Alberto Fuentes Castillo and Maria Luisa Mohr. During his secondary education at the Instituto Nacional de Varones del Occidente (INVO) he stood out from an early age as a student leader. He studied at the London School of Economics
and on his return to Guatemala starting working for the Bank of Guatemala
.
In 1957 he was decorated Commander in the Order of the Quetzal
in recognition for his efforts to promote the development of the Latin American Economic integration, and the Central American Common Market in particular.
In 1966 he was appointed finance minister in the government of Julio César Méndez Montenegro
. However, his reformist financial policies, including a controversial fiscal reform, resulted in his transfer from the ministry of finance to the ministry of foreigh affairs.
On February 27, 1970, while serving as Guatemala's minister of foreign affairs, Fuentes Mohr was briefly kidnapped by an urban guerilla commando of the FAR, but was released just before election day after the government released FAR rebel Vicente Girón Calvillo from prison.
In November 1970, Fuentes Mohr was detained by the government of Colonel Carlos Manuel Arana Osorio
and forced into exile. From 1970 to 1974 he lectured at the University of Central America in Costa Rica.
In 1974 Fuentes Mohr returned to Guatemala and ran as a candidate for the vice-presidency for the Frente Nacional de Oposición in the 1974 elections. Having been elected has a member of congress for Quetzaltenango he starts preparations for the foundation of the Social Democratic party (PSD).
Alberto Fuentes Mohr was assassinated on 25 January 1979 (as was former Guatemala City
mayor and leading opposition politician Manuel Colom) during a time of political repression by the right-wing military dominated government during the regime of General Romeo Lucas
(president from 1978 until he was overthrown in 1982 by another right-wing faction of the military).
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
n economist and politician, one of the founders of the Social Democratic Party. He also served as finance minister
Finance minister
The finance minister is a cabinet position in a government.A minister of finance has many different jobs in a government. He or she helps form the government budget, stimulate the economy, and control finances...
and foreign minister
Foreign minister
A Minister of Foreign Affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign state. The foreign minister is often regarded as the most senior ministerial position below that of the head of government . It is often granted to the deputy prime minister in...
during the 1960s.
Biography
Alberto Fuentes Mohr was born in QuetzaltenangoQuetzaltenango
Quetzaltenango, also commonly known by its indigenous name, Xelajú , or more commonly, Xela , is the second largest city of Guatemala. It is both the capital of Quetzaltenango Department and the municipal seat of Quetzaltenango municipality....
on 22 November 1927 as the son Dr. Alberto Fuentes Castillo and Maria Luisa Mohr. During his secondary education at the Instituto Nacional de Varones del Occidente (INVO) he stood out from an early age as a student leader. He studied at the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
and on his return to Guatemala starting working for the Bank of Guatemala
Bank of Guatemala
-External links:...
.
In 1957 he was decorated Commander in the Order of the Quetzal
Order of the Quetzal
The Order of the Quetzal is Guatemala’s highest honor. Established in 1973, it is bestowed by the Government of Guatemala. The award acknowledges officials of nations, organizations and other entities whose artistic, civic, humanitarian, or scientific works merit special recognition....
in recognition for his efforts to promote the development of the Latin American Economic integration, and the Central American Common Market in particular.
In 1966 he was appointed finance minister in the government of Julio César Méndez Montenegro
Julio César Méndez Montenegro
Julio César Méndez Montenegro was the Revolutionary Party President of Guatemala from 1 July 1966 to 1 July 1970. The only civilian to occupy Guatemala's presidency during the long period of military rule between 1954 and 1986, Méndez was not allowed to act independently of the military and was...
. However, his reformist financial policies, including a controversial fiscal reform, resulted in his transfer from the ministry of finance to the ministry of foreigh affairs.
On February 27, 1970, while serving as Guatemala's minister of foreign affairs, Fuentes Mohr was briefly kidnapped by an urban guerilla commando of the FAR, but was released just before election day after the government released FAR rebel Vicente Girón Calvillo from prison.
In November 1970, Fuentes Mohr was detained by the government of Colonel Carlos Manuel Arana Osorio
Carlos Manuel Arana Osorio
Carlos Manuel Arana Osorio was President of Guatemala from 1 July 1970 to 1 July 1974.Carlos Arana was born in Barberena, in the department of Santa Rosa....
and forced into exile. From 1970 to 1974 he lectured at the University of Central America in Costa Rica.
In 1974 Fuentes Mohr returned to Guatemala and ran as a candidate for the vice-presidency for the Frente Nacional de Oposición in the 1974 elections. Having been elected has a member of congress for Quetzaltenango he starts preparations for the foundation of the Social Democratic party (PSD).
Alberto Fuentes Mohr was assassinated on 25 January 1979 (as was former Guatemala City
Guatemala City
Guatemala City , is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Guatemala and Central America...
mayor and leading opposition politician Manuel Colom) during a time of political repression by the right-wing military dominated government during the regime of General Romeo Lucas
Fernando Romeo Lucas García
Fernando Romeo Lucas García was the 25th President of Guatemala from 1 July 1978 to 23 March 1982...
(president from 1978 until he was overthrown in 1982 by another right-wing faction of the military).
Published works
- Secuestro y prisión: dos caras de la violencia en Guatemala. San José: Editorial Universitaria Centroamericana. 1971.
- Impuestos sobre los intermediarios financieros y sus operaciones. Organización de Estados Americanos, Oficina de Finanzas Públicas in San José, Costa Rica. 1973.
- La creación de un mercado común: apuntes históricos sobre la experiencia de Centroamérica. Buenos Aires: Instituto para la Integración de América Latina, BID. 1973.