Lieutenant Colonel José María Lemus López (22 July 1911 – 31 March 1993) was president of El Salvador from 14 September 1956 to 26 October 1960. Before becoming a president, he served as an undersecretary of defense and a minister of the interior.[1]

José María Lemus
30th President of El Salvador
In office
14 September 1956 – 26 October 1960
Vice PresidentHumberto Costa
Preceded byÓscar Osorio
Succeeded byJunta of Government
Eusebio Cordón Cea as President
Personal details
Born22 July 1911
La Unión, El Salvador
Died31 March 1993(1993-03-31) (aged 81)
San José, Costa Rica
Political partyRevolutionary Party of Democratic Unification
SpouseCoralia Párraga de Lemus
Children7
OccupationPolitician, military
Military service
Allegiance El Salvador
Branch/serviceSalvadoran Army
Years of service1933–1960
RankLieutenant Colonel Lieutenant Colonel

Life and career

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He was born into a family of humble beginnings in La Unión, El Salvador. He was undersecretary of defense from 1948-1949. As President Óscar Osorio's choice for the successor to presidency, he antagonized many by fighting against corruption.[2] Having won the disputed election of 1956, he appointed prominent civilians into his government and allowed many exiles to return the country.[citation needed]

He was a member of the Party of Democratic Unification. He continued socio-economic reforms of his predecessor, but there was no improvement in the living standards of the working class.[3] He promulgated the Tenant Law, which protects the rights of the renters of houses or "Mesones, called also Vecindades" (apartment units with shared bathrooms).[citation needed] The law stipulating that landlords cannot increase the rent more than 10% every year made rent contract in houses obligatory with the objective of protecting the renter.[citation needed]

His government repealed the anti-sedition laws, therefore antagonizing the military. His government's decision to control the production of coffee infuriated the public. Soon after the Cuban revolution, there were widespread student protests. There was a subsequent roundup of dissidents and protesters.[4]

Overthrow and death

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Following these uncertainties, he was overthrown in a bloodless coup and a new, short-lived Junta government was formed consisting of three military (Miguel Ángel Castillo, César Yanes Urías, Rubén Alonso Rosales) and three civilian (Ricardo Falla Cáceres, Fabio Castillo Figueroa, Rene Fortín Magaña).[citation needed]

After his exile, he lived in New York City until his death in San Jose, Costa Rica. He died of Hodgkin's lymphoma, leaving behind a wife and eight children.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ "Lemus, José María (1911–1993) | Encyclopedia.com".
  2. ^ "Lemus, José María (1911–1993) | Encyclopedia.com".
  3. ^ "El Salvador - Military dictatorships".
  4. ^ "Lemus, José María (1911–1993) | Encyclopedia.com".
Political offices
Preceded by President of El Salvador
1956–1960
Succeeded by
Military Junta