Alfonso Quiñónez Molina (January 11, 1874 – May 22, 1950) was the President of El Salvador from 21 December 1918 to 28 February 1919 and from 1 March 1923 to 28 February 1927.[1]
Alfonso Quiñónez Molina | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 27th President of El Salvador | |
| In office 1 March 1923 – 1 March 1927 | |
| Vice President | Pío Romero Bosque |
| Preceded by | Jorge Meléndez |
| Succeeded by | Pío Romero Bosque |
| In office 21 December 1918 – 1 March 1919 | |
| Preceded by | Carlos Meléndez Ramirez |
| Succeeded by | Jorge Meléndez |
| In office 29 August 1914 – 1 March 1915 | |
| Preceded by | Carlos Meléndez Ramirez |
| Succeeded by | Carlos Meléndez Ramirez |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 11 January 1874 Suchitoto, El Salvador |
| Died | 22 May 1950 (aged 76) San Salvador, El Salvador |
| Political party | National Democratic Party |
| Profession | Physician Politician |
He served as the Vice President to Carlos Meléndez and Jorge Meléndez from March 1915 to March 1923.
Early life
editAlfonso was born into the family of Lucio Quiñónez and Aurelia Molina. He was married to Leonor Meléndez Ramírez, a sister of Presidents Carlos and Jorge Meléndez.[2]
Political career
editThe Meléndez-Quiñónez dynasty effectively ruled the country from 1914 to 1927. Quiñónez was one of the founders of the National Democratic Party. His policies largely served the interests of the coffee oligarchy of the country.[citation needed]
In 1918, Quiñónez established the Lega Rojas, or the Red league, which intended to work as a mediator between the oligarchy and the peasants. It was deemed as the first attempt to form an official party in the country.[3] However, the far-reaching oligarchic control of the prevented the organization from achieving its goal. Later it supported the candidacy of President Jorge Meléndez.[citation needed]
After becoming president in 1923, Quiñónez ruled El Salvador like a ruthless dictator, harassing and suppressing any form of opposition.[citation needed]
It was common among Salvadoran presidents to declare an heir during the final days of their terms, as the constitution barred immediate re-election.[citation needed]
Quiñónez handed the presidency to Vice President Pío Romero Bosque. He thought that as Romero did not spring from a rich family, he would be a puppet of Quiñónez. However, Quiñónez's plan backfired, and he, along with other members of the dynasty organized a coup against the new president. However, the coup, which took place in December 1927, ultimately failed.[4]
Quiñónez's decision to borrow money from other countries to pave the roads of San Salvador sparked a controversy in the country thatwas exploited by subsequent rulers like Maximiliano Hernández Martínez.[3]
References
edit- ^ "Presidencia de El Salvador". Archived from the original on 2007-10-06. Retrieved 2007-10-06.
- ^ "Alfonso Quiñónez Molina, presidente de el Salvador".
- ^ a b "Quiñones Molina, Alfonso (1873–1950) | Encyclopedia.com".
- ^ "Biografia de Alfonso Quiñones Molina".