Antonio Guzmán Fernández

Silvestre Antonio Guzmán Fernández (12 February 1911 – 4 July 1982), best known as Antonio Guzmán, was a Dominican businessman and a politician who served as the 46th president of the Dominican Republic from 1978 until his death in 1982. In 1978, Guzmán ran in the general elections against strongman Joaquín Balaguer, who at the time, ruled the country for 12 years and during that period, repressed, jailed and even killed political opponents.

The military stopped counting after the polls showed an unmistakable favour of Guzmán, but then resumed after protests at home and pressure internationally and Guzmán won. During his presidency, the country turned into a more democratic direction and was characterized by a strong respect for civil liberties, a condition practically nonexistent in Dominican history in the 20th century. Guzmán was considered the architect of the Dominican democratic consecration, when the alternation of political parties in the State was verified for the first time through elections.

On 4 July 1982, Guzmán died himself and was succeeded by his vice president, Jacobo Majluta who served the remainder of Guzmán's 43 day term before handing over power to Salvador Jorge Blanco.