Fidel Sánchez Hernández

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Fidel Sánchez Hernández (July 7, 1917 in El Divisadero – February 28, 2003) was a politician, general, and former President of El Salvador. It could be said that Sánchez Hernández led his country during a tumultuous era. While ruling El Salvador from 1967 to 1972, Sánchez Hernández faced war and economic turnoil.

Before becoming president, Sánchez Hernández was an army general in El Salvador and had brief stints as a military attaché in Washington (after his participation in the overthrow of José María Lemus in 1960) and in Paris. President Julio Adalberto Rivera Carballo promoted him to Minister of the Interior in 1962, and he served in that office until 1967, when he succeeded Rivera to the position of president. He continued Rivera's progressive programs and created a mostly civilian cabinet.

In July of 1969 Sánchez Hernández led the Salvadorean army in its brief but violent Football War against Honduras. He had much success, occupying a large part of that country. But, under a cease-fire agreement arranged by the Organization of American States, Sánchez Hernández agreed to pull his troops out, much to the opposition of many of his military leaders.

The war with Honduras led to much economic distress in El Salvador. Refugees, mostly Salvadoreans that resided in Honduras, poured into the country and Honduras closed off trade routes.

Sánchez Hernández remained president until 1972 and was succeeded by Colonel Arturo Armando Molina.

On the night of February 28, 2003, Sánchez Hernández, aged 85, died of a heart attack while being taken to a military hospital in El Salvador.