Humberto Castelo Branco

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Humberto de Alencar Castello Branco (September 20, 1900 - July 18, 1967). Brazilian military officer and politician. Castello Branco entered in the Army in 1918 and was a colonel in the Força Expedicionária Brasileira in World War II. Appointed Chief of Staff of the Army in 1963 by President João Goulart, he became one of the leaders of the coup d'etat of March 31, 1964, that overthrew Goulart. Elected president by the Congress, he took the oath in April 15, 1964 and served until March 15, 1967. During his term, Castello Branco dismantled the left wing of Congress and abolished all the parties. He promoted economics and tributary reforms and was succeeded by his war minister Marshal Artur da Costa e Silva. He died shortly after leaving the presidency in an air crash.

See also: List of Presidents of Brazil, Rafael Rozendaal