Julio César Méndez Montenegro
Julio César Méndez Montenegro | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 1966 | |
| 34th President of Guatemala | |
| In office July 1, 1966 – July 1, 1970 | |
| Vice President | Clemente Marroquín Rojas |
| Preceded by | Enrique Peralta Azurdia |
| Succeeded by | Carlos Arana Osorio |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 23, 1915 Guatemala City |
| Died | April 30, 1996 (aged 80) Guatemala City |
| Political party | Revolutionary Party |
| Spouse | Sara de la Hoz (1919–2015) |
| Parent(s) | Marcial Méndez and Mélida Montenegro |
| Alma mater | Universidad de San Carlos |
Julio César Méndez Montenegro (November 23, 1915 – April 30, 1996) was a Guatemalan academic who served as the 34th president of Guatemala from July 1966 to July 1970. Mendez was elected on a platform promising democratic reforms and the curtailment of military power. The only civilian to occupy Guatemala's presidency during the long period of military rule between 1954 and 1986. Nevertheless, his election and swearing in was considered a major turning point for the long military-led Guatemala. He was the first cousin of César Montenegro Paniagua whose kidnapping, torture and murder during the Julio César Méndez presidency is rumored to have been undertaken with presidential sanction.