Aparicio Méndez
Encyclopedia
Aparicio Méndez Manfredini (1904–1988), was a Uruguayan political figure. He was a de facto
President
of Uruguay
from 1976–1981. As a non-democratically elected authority of the Civic-military dictatorship (1973–1985)
.
, Méndez was a member of the National Party
, traditionally strong in the interior of the country from whence he originated. He built up a reputation as an expert in administrative law.
Méndez served as Health Minister from 1961–1964.
In addition to his political life, Méndez was a close personal friend of the Spanish classical guitarist Andrés Segovia
. Segovia lived in Montevideo
during the 1940s, and came into contact with Méndez during this time. Segovia composed two original pieces for Méndez , the Anecdote #4 (published in Guitar Review Magazine in 1947), and the Preludio #8 (subtitled "on a theme by Aparicio Méndez") which was published by Edizioni Musicali Bèrben in 1998.
's coup in 1973 at a time of great social tension. It was as one who had built a reputation for reliability with its military participants that he subsequently served as President for five years.
, and that he presided over a free referendum.
De facto government doctrine
The de facto government doctrine is an Argentine case law related to the validity of the actions of de facto governments. It allowed the government actions taken during those times to stay valid after the de facto government had ended...
President
President of Uruguay
The President of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay is the head of state of Uruguay. His or her rights are determined in the Constitution of Uruguay. Conforms with the Secretariat of the Presidency, the Council of Ministers and the Director of the Office of Planning and Budget, the executive branch...
of Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
from 1976–1981. As a non-democratically elected authority of the Civic-military dictatorship (1973–1985)
Civic-military dictatorship of Uruguay (1973-1985)
The Civic-military dictatorship of Uruguay lasted from June 27, 1973 following the 1973 coup d'état until February 28, 1985.This dictatorship was the corollary of an escalation of violence and authoritarism in a traditionally peaceful country, and should be analyzed in the light of the Cold War...
.
Background
Born in the northern city of RiveraRivera
Rivera is the capital of Rivera Department of Uruguay. It is located at the north end of Route 5, on the border with Brazil. The Brazilian city of Santana do Livramento is right across the border, only a street away of it...
, Méndez was a member of the National Party
National Party (Uruguay)
The National Party , also known as the White Party , is a major right-wing conservative political party in Uruguay, currently the major opposition party to the ruling Frente Amplio government....
, traditionally strong in the interior of the country from whence he originated. He built up a reputation as an expert in administrative law.
Méndez served as Health Minister from 1961–1964.
In addition to his political life, Méndez was a close personal friend of the Spanish classical guitarist Andrés Segovia
Andrés Segovia
Andrés Torres Segovia, 1st Marquis of Salobreña , known as Andrés Segovia, was a virtuoso Spanish classical guitarist from Linares, Jaén, Andalucia, Spain...
. Segovia lived in Montevideo
Montevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
during the 1940s, and came into contact with Méndez during this time. Segovia composed two original pieces for Méndez , the Anecdote #4 (published in Guitar Review Magazine in 1947), and the Preludio #8 (subtitled "on a theme by Aparicio Méndez") which was published by Edizioni Musicali Bèrben in 1998.
President of Uruguay
Méndez was one of various civilian political figures who participated in the civilian-military administration which took office following President Juan Maria BordaberryJuan María Bordaberry
Juan María Bordaberry Arocena was a Uruguayan politician and cattle rancher, who first served as President from 1972 until 1976, including as a dictator from 1973 until his ouster in a 1976 coup...
's coup in 1973 at a time of great social tension. It was as one who had built a reputation for reliability with its military participants that he subsequently served as President for five years.
Free constitutional referendum
In 1980, Méndez's government held a constitutional referendum, the free nature of which was underlined by the fact that the electorate rejected the government's proposals.Death and legacy
Méndez died in 1988. Some would argue that, in agreeing to serve as President with military support, Aparicio Méndez was effectively repudiating the principles of the National Party with which he had been associated. Others would point out that Méndez was far from alone among the various civilian party political figures who participated in the Civic-military dictatorship (1973–1985)Civic-military dictatorship of Uruguay (1973-1985)
The Civic-military dictatorship of Uruguay lasted from June 27, 1973 following the 1973 coup d'état until February 28, 1985.This dictatorship was the corollary of an escalation of violence and authoritarism in a traditionally peaceful country, and should be analyzed in the light of the Cold War...
, and that he presided over a free referendum.
See also
- Politics of UruguayPolitics of UruguayThe Politics of Uruguay abide by a presidential representative democratic republic, under which the President of Uruguay is both the head of state and the head of government, as well as a multiform party system. The president exercises executive power and Legislative power is vested in the two...