Arnulfo Arias
Arnulfo Arias | |
|---|---|
Arnulfo Arias in 1968 | |
| 21st, 31st, and 33rd President of Panama | |
| In office 1 October 1940 – 9 October 1941 | |
| Deputy | Presidential designates José Pezet Arosemena Ernesto Jaén Guardia Aníbal Ríos Delgado |
| Preceded by | Augusto Samuel Boyd |
| Succeeded by | Ricardo de la Guardia |
| In office 24 November 1949 – 9 May 1951 | |
| Vice President | Alcibíades Arosemena José Ramón Guizado |
| Preceded by | Roberto F. Chiari |
| Succeeded by | Alcibíades Arosemena |
| In office 1 October 1968 – 11 October 1968 | |
| Vice President | Raúl Arango José Dominador Bazán |
| Preceded by | Marco Aurelio Robles Méndez |
| Succeeded by | José María Pinilla Fábrega |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Arnulfo Arias Madrid 15 August 1901 Penonomé, Panama Department, Colombia |
| Died | 10 August 1988 (aged 86) Coral Gables, Miami-Dade County, Florida |
| Political party | Panameñista Party |
| Spouses | |
Arnulfo Arias Madrid (15 August 1901 – 10 August 1988) was a Panamanian politician, medical doctor, and writer who served as the President of Panama from 1940 to 1941, again from 1949 to 1951, and finally for 11 days in October 1968.
Throughout his adult life, he warned about the increasing influence of the military in Panamanian politics and vowed to reduce that. In turn, he was denied his presidential electoral success in 1948 by the military. Arias's tenure as president was characterized by corruption, nepotism and autocratic practices. In 1951, Arias sought to restore the 1941 constitution and threatened to disband the Panama legislature, which prompted protests. The legislature impeached Arias, who was succeeded by Alcibiades Arosemena.
He was removed from the presidency thrice by the military.