Arturo Armando Molina Explained

Colonel Arturo Armando Molina Barraza (6 August 1927 – 18 July 2021)^[1] was a Salvadoran politician and military officer, who served as President of El Salvador from 1972 to 1977.

He was born in San Salvador.^[2] He served between 1 July 1972 and 1 July 1977.^[3] The 1973 oil crisis led to rising food prices and decreased agricultural output. This worsened the existent socioeconomic inequality in the country, leading to increased unrest. In response, Molina enacted a series of land reform measures, calling for large landholdings to be redistributed among the peasant population.^[4]

Molina was distrusted by the oligarchy and the right-wing military, and was resented by the opposition from whom he had stolen power. His attempts to silence opposition included the military occupation of the University of El Salvador in 1972, as well as violently suppressing student protests that erupted after public funds were used to hold the Miss Universe contest in San Salvador. He also oversaw assassinations of priests in the country. His regime saw extreme polarization and violence in the country. His tenure ended in 1977, and then he left the country. Molina returned to El Salvador in 1992.^[5]

He died on 18 July 2021 in California, at the age of 93.^{[6] [7]}

See also

• 1972 Salvadoran coup d'état attempt

External links

• Cnel. Arturo Armando Molina. Presidente 1972–1977 (2004) (University of Central America)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Latin American Government Leaders. Arizona State University Center for Latin American. Studies. 4 August 1975. Center for Latin American Studies, Arizona State University. Google Books.
2. Web site: Una veintena hizo carrera como funcionario. https://web.archive.org/web/20120225214541/http://www.laprensagrafica.com/el-salvador/lpg-datos/36355--una-veintena-hizo-carrera-como-funcionario.html. dead. 25 February 2012.
3. Web site: Cnel. Arturo Armando Molina — Asamblea Legislativa . 1 January 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304131856/http://www.asamblea.gob.sv/pleno/representacion/por-grupos-parlamentarios/pcn/historia/cnel.-arturo-armando-molina . 4 March 2016 . dead .
4. Walter, Williams (1997). Militarization and Demilitarization in El Salvador’s Transition to Democracy. p. 90.
5. Web site: Molina, Arturo Armando (1927–) Encyclopedia.com.
6. Web site: Fallece expresidente salvadoreño Arturo Armando Molina, a los 93 años. Ex-President of El Salvador Arturo Armando Molina Dies At The Age of 93. es. 19 July 2023. 1 September 2023. La Prensa Gráfica. Irvin. Alvarado.
7. Web site: Muere Arturo Armando Molina, expresidente de El Salvador. Arturo Armando Molina, Ex-President of El Salvador, Dies. es. El Mundo. 19 July 2021. 1 September 2023. Gabriela. Villaroel. Óscar. Romero.