Eric Arturo Delvalle
Encyclopedia
Eric Arturo Delvalle Cohen-Henríquez (born February 2, 1937) is a former Panamanian head of state.
Delvalle was born in Panama City
. He is a member of the Latino fraternity Phi Iota Alpha
. His brother Raúl is a former member of the National Assembly (1984–1989). Both he and his uncle, Max Delvalle
, were members of the Kol Shearit Israel Synagogue. His uncle Max was the first Jewish president in Latin America. He belonged to the Republican Party
founded by his family.
He was elected as Nicolás Ardito Barletta's Vice President
in the disputed 1984 election, and after Barletta's forced resignation he served as President of Panama from September 28, 1985 to February 26, 1988. Delvalle's presidency occurred during Manuel Noriega
's de facto military rule of the country, and he was loyal ally of Noriega for much of his administration. After Noriega's indictment on February 4, 1988, by the United States
Drug Enforcement Administration
, Delvalle unsuccessfully attempted to remove Noriega from his formal post as head of the Panamanian Defense Forces. Instead, Noriega's allies in the Legislative Assembly
voted on February 22 to oust Delvalle as president, and Delvalle went into hiding with the help of the American government. The Reagan administration failed to recognize the legitimacy of Delvalle's successors and continued to officially support the legitimacy of Delvalle's presidency until his term's official ending in late 1989.
Delvalle was born in Panama City
Panama City
Panama is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Panama. It has a population of 880,691, with a total metro population of 1,272,672, and it is located at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, in the province of the same name. The city is the political and administrative center of the...
. He is a member of the Latino fraternity Phi Iota Alpha
Phi Iota Alpha
Phi Iota Alpha , established December 26, 1931, is the oldest Latino fraternity still in existence, and works to motivate people, develop leaders, and create innovative ways to unite the Latino community. The organization has roots that stem back to the late 19th century to the first Latino...
. His brother Raúl is a former member of the National Assembly (1984–1989). Both he and his uncle, Max Delvalle
Max Delvalle
Max Delvalle Levy-Maduro was a Panamanian vice president. Both he and his nephew, Eric Arturo Delvalle, were members of the Kol Shearit Israel Synagogue.In 1967, the country was convulsed politically...
, were members of the Kol Shearit Israel Synagogue. His uncle Max was the first Jewish president in Latin America. He belonged to the Republican Party
Republican Party (Panama)
The Republican Party is a Panamanian right-wing political party.Its distant origins lie in the Liberal Renewal Party founded in 1932...
founded by his family.
He was elected as Nicolás Ardito Barletta's Vice President
Vice President of Panama
Vice President of Panama is the second highest political position in Panama. Position of only one Vice President will be filled since 2009. Previously, there were positions of First Vice President and Second Vice President, also known as first designate to presidency and second designate...
in the disputed 1984 election, and after Barletta's forced resignation he served as President of Panama from September 28, 1985 to February 26, 1988. Delvalle's presidency occurred during Manuel Noriega
Manuel Noriega
Manuel Antonio Noriega Moreno is a Panamanian politician and soldier. He was military dictator of Panama from 1983 to 1989.The 1989 invasion of Panama by the United States removed him from power; he was captured, detained as a prisoner of war, and flown to the United States. Noriega was tried on...
's de facto military rule of the country, and he was loyal ally of Noriega for much of his administration. After Noriega's indictment on February 4, 1988, by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Drug Enforcement Administration
Drug Enforcement Administration
The Drug Enforcement Administration is a federal law enforcement agency under the United States Department of Justice, tasked with combating drug smuggling and use within the United States...
, Delvalle unsuccessfully attempted to remove Noriega from his formal post as head of the Panamanian Defense Forces. Instead, Noriega's allies in the Legislative Assembly
National Assembly of Panama
The National Assembly , formerly the Legislative Assembly , is the legislative branch of the government of the Republic of Panama.It is a unicameral legislature, currently made up of 71 members, who serve five-year terms...
voted on February 22 to oust Delvalle as president, and Delvalle went into hiding with the help of the American government. The Reagan administration failed to recognize the legitimacy of Delvalle's successors and continued to officially support the legitimacy of Delvalle's presidency until his term's official ending in late 1989.