Óscar Diego Gestido

Óscar Diego Gestido Pose (Montevideo, Uruguay 28 November 1901 – Montevideo, December 6, 1967) was president of Uruguay in 1967.

Biography

Diego Gestido was from a military background, and served in the military for 36 years before retiring with the rank of general in 1957. Afterwards he had an important participation during the Uruguayan floods of April 1959, being considered a hero.

He was also a member of the Colorado Party.

President of Uruguay

On 27 November 1966 elections were celebrated, together with a constitutional referendum which gave place to a new Constitution restoring one-person presidency. Diego Gestido was elected President of Uruguay, a post he held from March 1, 1967, to December 6, 1967.

Prominent people in his government included Vice President of Uruguay Jorge Pacheco Areco, César Charlone, Luis Hierro Gambardella, Julio Lacarte Muró, Manuel Flores Mora, and Zelmar Michelini, who later co-founded the Frente Amplio grouping.

Death and succession

Diego Gestido died in office. His remains were buried at the Central Cemetery of Montevideo.^[1]

His death meant that three Uruguayan Presidents had died in office in a 20-year period.

He was succeeded by his vice president, Jorge Pacheco Areco.

Family

His brother Álvaro Gestido was a notable Uruguayan football player.

Honors

• Rivera International Airport is named after him.

See also

• Politics of Uruguay

References