Emílio Garrastazu Médici

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Emílio Garrastazu Médici

31st President of Brazil
In office October 30, 1969 – March 15, 1974
Vice President(s)	Augusto Rademaker
Preceded by	Military Junta
Succeeded by	Ernesto Geisel

Born	December 4, 1905 Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul
Died	October 9, 1985 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro
Political party	National Renewal Alliance Party - ARENA

Emílio Garrastazu Médici, pron. IPA: [e'milju gɐʀɐʃtɐ'zu 'mɛdisi], (December 4, 1905–October 9, 1985) was a Brazilian military leader and politician. His rule marked the apex of military governments in Brazil.

[edit] Early life

Médici was born in Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul state, he was the son of a family of Basque and Italian descent, who were originally from Paysandú, Uruguay. In the 1920s he entered in the Army where he was steadily promoted, becoming general in 1961.

Médici was a close ally of Marshal Artur da Costa e Silva, who became president of Brazil in 1967. Also in this year Médici was appointed chief of the National Information Service (SNI).

[edit] Presidency

Two years later he become commandant of the Third Army when he was elected president of Brazil by the Congress, to succeed Costa e Silva, who was ill. Médici took oath on October 30, 1969 and served until the end of his term, March 15, 1974.

During his tenure, he established a strong military government, suppressing the press and opposition to his rule, mostly from leftist guerrillas. On the other hand, the Brazilian economy grew at a fast pace, at a rate of 10% per year. Big constructions like Transamazônica road, Itaipu dam and Rio-Niterói bridge started during Médici's term.