Fidel Sánchez Hernández
Encyclopedia
Fidel Sánchez Hernández (July 7, 1917 in El Divisadero
– February 28, 2003) was a politician, general, and former President
of El Salvador
. It could be said that Sánchez Hernández led his country during a tumultuous era. While ruling El Salvador from 1967 to 1972, Sánchez Hernández faced war and economic turmoil.
Before becoming president, Sánchez Hernández was an army general in El Salvador and had brief stints as a military attaché in Washington (after his participation in the overthrow of José María Lemus
in 1960) and in Paris. President Julio Adalberto Rivera
promoted him to Minister of the Interior in 1962, and he served in that office until 1967, when he succeeded Rivera to the position of president. He continued Rivera's progressive programs and created a mostly civilian cabinet.
In July 1969 Sánchez Hernández led the Salvadoran army in its brief but violent Football War
against Honduras
. He had much success, occupying a large part of that country. But, under a cease-fire agreement arranged by the Organization of American States
, Sánchez Hernández agreed to pull his troops out, much to the opposition of many of his military leaders.
The war with Honduras led to much economic distress in El Salvador. Refugees, mostly Salvadorans that resided in Honduras, poured into the country and Honduras closed off trade routes.
Sánchez Hernández remained president until 1972 and was succeeded by Colonel Arturo Armando Molina
.
On the night of February 28, 2003, Sánchez Hernández, aged 85, died of a heart attack
while being taken to a military hospital in El Salvador.
El Divisadero
El Divisadero is a municipality in the Morazán department of El Salvador....
– February 28, 2003) was a politician, general, and former President
President of El Salvador
This page contains a list of Presidents of El Salvador.-Heads of State of El Salvador within the Federal Republic of Central America :*Pedro Barriere : 21 September 1821 - 28 November 1821*José Matías Delgado : 28 Nov 1821 - 9 February 1823...
of El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
. It could be said that Sánchez Hernández led his country during a tumultuous era. While ruling El Salvador from 1967 to 1972, Sánchez Hernández faced war and economic turmoil.
Before becoming president, Sánchez Hernández was an army general in El Salvador and had brief stints as a military attaché in Washington (after his participation in the overthrow of José María Lemus
José María Lemus
José María Lemus Lopez was President of El Salvador 14 September 1956 - 26 October 1960.He was a military ruler and member of the Party of Democratic Unification. He put into law the Tenant Law, over people renting and the renters of houses or "Mesones"...
in 1960) and in Paris. President Julio Adalberto Rivera
Julio Adalberto Rivera Carballo
Julio Adalberto Rivera Carballo was president of El Salvador 1 July 1962 - 1 July 1967.Carballo was born in Zacatecoluca. He was a military officer who helped lead a military coup in 1961. From January 1961 to September 1961 he was a member of the Civic Military Directory which ruled El Salvador...
promoted him to Minister of the Interior in 1962, and he served in that office until 1967, when he succeeded Rivera to the position of president. He continued Rivera's progressive programs and created a mostly civilian cabinet.
In July 1969 Sánchez Hernández led the Salvadoran army in its brief but violent Football War
Football War
The Football War , also known as the Soccer War or 100 hour War, was a four-day war fought by El Salvador and Honduras in 1969. It was caused by political conflicts between Hondurans and Salvadorans, namely issues concerning immigration from El Salvador to Honduras...
against Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
. He had much success, occupying a large part of that country. But, under a cease-fire agreement arranged by the Organization of American States
Organization of American States
The Organization of American States is a regional international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States...
, Sánchez Hernández agreed to pull his troops out, much to the opposition of many of his military leaders.
The war with Honduras led to much economic distress in El Salvador. Refugees, mostly Salvadorans that resided in Honduras, poured into the country and Honduras closed off trade routes.
Sánchez Hernández remained president until 1972 and was succeeded by Colonel Arturo Armando Molina
Arturo Armando Molina
Colonel Arturo Armando Molina is a former President of El Salvador. He served between July 1, 1972 and July 1, 1977. Molina was a member of the National Conciliation Party....
.
On the night of February 28, 2003, Sánchez Hernández, aged 85, died of a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
while being taken to a military hospital in El Salvador.