Jose Miguel Ydigoras Fuentes President of Guatemala from 1958 to 1963. Date of Birth: 17.10.1895 Country: Guatemala

1. Early Life and Education
2. Military Career and Diplomacy
3. Failed Presidential Campaign and Exile
4. Rise to Power
5. Presidency
6. Overthrow and Later Years

Early Life and Education

Born in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, on October 17, 1895, Miguel Ydígoras Fuentes completed his military education in 1915 at the military academy.

Military Career and Diplomacy

In 1918, Ydígoras Fuentes served as military attaché in Washington, D.C., and later in Paris. He held various governorship positions within Guatemala, including Petén, Jalapa, and San Marcos.

Failed Presidential Campaign and Exile

In 1950, Ydígoras Fuentes unsuccessfully ran for the presidency. Following his defeat, he fled to El Salvador, leading the Guatemalan anti-government movement in exile.

Rise to Power

Ydígoras Fuentes played a pivotal role in the overthrow of Jacobo Arbenz Guzmán. He subsequently became president in 1958 through a coup d'état. Prior to his presidency, he served as an envoy and ambassador to Colombia from 1955.

Presidency

Representing the Partido de Reconciliación Nacional, Ydígoras Fuentes implemented policies hostile to revolutionary Cuba. Guatemala became a staging ground for Cuban exiles who were later defeated at the Bay of Pigs invasion.

Overthrow and Later Years

In March 1963, Ydígoras Fuentes was overthrown by Colonel Alfredo Peralta Azurdia. He passed away on October 6, 1982.