Policarpo Paz García

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Policarpo Paz García was a Honduran military leader and dictator. He was born on December 7, 1932 in La Arada, Goascoran, Valle, Honduras, and died on April 16, 2000. He was President of Honduras from August 7, 1978 until January 27, 1982. The military had ruled Honduras almost continuously since 1963, and Paz García was the last of the generals to rule the country. During his rule there were elections to the National Congress, and he then handed power over to the democratically elected Roberto Suazo Córdova. His tenure is also noted for corruption, and the high level of military repression, including the startling leap of activity attributable to Battalion 3-16, which was a secret right-wing paramilitary death squad trained by the CIA. The services of Batalión 3-16 were called upon during the Reagan administration and the American military activity in Central America to support the Contras.