Osmín Aguirre y Salinas
Osmín Aguirre y Salinas | |
|---|---|
| President of El Salvador | |
| In office 21 October 1944 – 1 March 1945 Provisional President | |
| Preceded by | Andrés Ignacio Menéndez |
| Succeeded by | Salvador Castaneda Castro |
| Chairman of the Civic Directory | |
| In office 2 December 1931 – 4 December 1931 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Minister of War, the Navy, and Aviation of El Salvador | |
| In office 2 December 1931 – 4 December 1931 Provisional Minister | |
| Preceded by | Maximiliano Hernández Martínez |
| Succeeded by | Joaquín Valdés |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Osmín Aguirre y Salinas 24 December 1889 San Miguel, El Salvador |
| Died | 12 July 1977 (aged 87) San Salvador, El Salvador |
| Manner of death | Assassination (gunshot wound) |
| Political party | Social Democratic Party |
| Spouse | Rosa Cardona |
| Children | 4 |
| Occupation | Military officer, politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | El Salvador |
| Branch/service | Salvadoran Army |
| Years of service | ?–1945 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Battles/wars |
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Osmín Aguirre y Salinas (24 December 1889 – 12 July 1977) was a Salvadoran military officer and politician who served as the provisional president of El Salvador from 21 October 1944 until 1 March 1945. A colonel in the Salvadoran Army, Aguirre led two successful coups against the Salvadoran government: once in 1931 (installing General Maximiliano Hernández Martínez in power) and once more in 1944 (installing himself in power). He left office in 1945, with the assurance that his successor in the next election would be Salvador Castaneda Castro. Aguirre was later assassinated by left-wing guerrillas near his home in San Salvador at the age of 87.
The Supreme Court declared his term unconstitutional, and the United States did not recognize his coming to power, which deemed his regime pro-fascist.
As the chief of the National Police of El Salvador, Aguirre was one of main perpetrators of La Matanza.