Ernesto de la Guardia Navarro (30 May 1904 – 2 May 1983) was president of Panama from 1 October 1956 to 1 October 1960. He belonged to the National Patriotic Coalition (CNP).

Ernesto de la Guardia
President of Panama
In office
1 October 1956 – 1 October 1960
Vice PresidentTemistocles Díaz
Heraclio Barletta
Preceded byRicardo Arias
Succeeded byRoberto Chiari
Personal details
Born
Ernesto de la Guardia Navarro

(1904-05-30)30 May 1904
Panama City, Panama
Died2 May 1983(1983-05-02) (aged 78)
Panama City, Panama
Political partyNational Patriotic Coalition
ProfessionPolitician

Early life and education

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Born in Panama City, he was educated at Dartmouth College in the United States, where he obtained a master's degree in finance.

Political career

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He began his political career as a consul in the Costa Rican consulate in San Francisco.[1] Prior to his administration, he held diplomatic positions, as well as serving as secretary of state and First Vice President from 1945 to 1948. He was considered a visionary of the Electoral Tribunal and other constitutional reforms, he earned a reputation as a leading advocate for Panamian democracy. During his administration, he was involved in disputes with the United States involving interpretations of the treaties regarding the Panama Canal Zone. On 26 April 1959, he faced an attempted coup planned by diplomat Roberto Arias, nephew of deposed ex-president Arnulfo Arias and husband of famous British ballerina Margot Fonteyn.[2] The coup, allegedly sponsored by Fidel Castro, was suppressed with help from the United States and other American countries.

Personal life

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Navarro was married to Mercedes Galindo; they had two sons and a daughter.

Later life and death

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After vacating the presidency, he was a member of the Academia Panameña de la Lengua (directing it in 1973 2), and directed the weekly Mundo Gráfico. He died in Panama City in 1983 at the age of 78.

References

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  1. ^ Leonard, Thomas M. (18 November 2014). Historical Dictionary of Panama. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 145. ISBN 9780810878358.
  2. ^ "1959: Dame Margot Fonteyn released from jail". 1959-04-22. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
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Political offices
Preceded by First Vice President of Panama
1945–1948
Succeeded by
Preceded by President of Panama
1956–1960
Succeeded by