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Guillermo Endara39th President of Panama
Date of Birth: 12.05.1936
Country:  Panama |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Political Career
- Opposition and Exile
- Presidential Candidacy and Election
- American Intervention and Assumption of Presidency
- Presidency
- Later Life and Legacy
Early Life and Education
Guillermo Endara was born on May 12, 1936, in Panama City, Panama. He studied law at the University of Panama and later pursued postgraduate studies at New York University.
Political Career
Endara began his political career in 1961 as a co-founder of the Panameñista Party alongside Arnulfo Arias. In 1964, he unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the legislature, a defeat attributed to a corruption scandal within the party.
Despite the setback, Endara remained close to Arias, and in 1968, when Arias was elected president for the third time, Endara served as Minister of Planning and Economic Policy. However, Arias's presidency lasted only 11 days before it was overthrown by a military coup.
Opposition and Exile
Endara went into hiding following the coup but was arrested in 1971 and imprisoned. He was later exiled to the United States. In 1977, Endara returned to Panama with other Panamanian opposition leaders and advocated for the return of Arias, the "three times ousted President of Panama."
Presidential Candidacy and Election
In 1989, Endara formed an alliance with several opposition parties and ran for president. On May 7, 1989, he led a demonstration with his two vice-presidential candidates, Ricardo Arias and Guillermo Ford, protesting the alleged electoral fraud by Manuel Noriega.
American Intervention and Assumption of Presidency
On December 20, 1989, the United States intervened militarily in Panama, overthrowing the Noriega regime. The same day, Endara assumed the presidency, although Panama remained under American control.
Presidency
Endara's government faced a crisis in August 1990 when the police chief was abruptly dismissed. In 1994, Endara did not seek reelection and passed the presidency to Ernesto Pérez Balladares.
Later Life and Legacy
Guillermo Endara died on September 28, 2009. He is remembered as a symbol of Panama's struggle for democracy and the head of state who oversaw the transition from military dictatorship to civilian rule.
