Ibáñez del Campo, Carlos

Ibáñez del Campo, Carlos

(kär`lōs ēbä`nyās thĕl käm`pō), 1877–1960, president of Chile (1927–31, 1952–58). An army general who served as minister of war (1925–27) and vice president (1927), he became president upon the forced resignation of President Emiliano Figueroa. He ruled dictatorially, suppressing all opposition. He launched many public works projects and instituted educational and labor reform, remaining popular until the worldwide depression hit Chile. Widespread demonstrations in 1931 forced him into exile in Argentina. After several attempts to regain power, he was elected (1949) to the senate. He won the presidency (1952) by a plurality after promising to curb inflation and to reform the bureaucracy. His administration was hampered, however, by opposition in congress and by his own old age.

Ibáñez del Campo, Carlos

 

Born Nov. 3, 1877, in Linares; died Apr. 28, 1960, in Santiago. Chilean statesman and military figure.

Ibáñez del Campo held a number of ministerial posts from 1925 to 1927 and was president from 1927 to 1931. His regime favored the interests of the oligarchy and US imperialism. Overthrown by a popular uprising in July 1931, he lived abroad, primarily in Argentina, until 1937. Upon his return to Chile, he was nominated for the presidency in 1938. How-ever, he was soon accused of participation in a fascist putsch. He was convicted in September 1938 but was pardoned shortly afterward. Ibanez participated in a military revolt against the government of the Popular Front in August 1939. He became a senator in 1949 and served as president from 1952 to 1958, carrying out a reactionary policy.