Alfredo Baldomir

Alfredo Baldomir Ferrari (August 27 1884–February 25 1948) was an Uruguayan soldier, architect and politician. He served as President of Uruguay from 1938 to 1943 and is most notable for leading Uruguay to support the Allies during World War II.

Background

Baldomir was born in Montevideo. He joined the army in 1900 and studied architecture and engineering. He designed many famous buildings in Uruguay, eventually directed the army corps of engineers and worked as a professor.

By 1930, Baldomir was becoming involved in politics. He served as chief of police of Montevideo from 1931 to 1934 and as defense minister of Uruguay from 1935 to 1938, and was thus strongly identified with the rule of the then President of Uruguay Gabriel Terra.

President of Uruguay

He was elected president of Uruguay in 1938 as a member of the long-ruling
Colorado Party. He took office as President on June 19 1938; Vice President of Uruguay during his period of Presidential office was Alfredo Navarro. Baldomir set a high priority in involving Uruguay in international affairs, and appointed the famous diplomat Alberto Guani as foreign minister. As World War II broke out, Baldomir discouraged support for the Axis within the country, and early in 1942, he broke off diplomatic relations with the Axis Powers. In 1942, Baldomir, now a general in the army, expanded his powers through a military coup dissolving parliament and declaring an emergency. His term, which was soon to expire, was extended for a year.

In 1943, Baldomir voluntarily held elections and gave up power, but the continued dominance of the Colorados was insured. He then retired on March 1 1943 and five years later died of an illness in Montevideo.

Legacy

Baldomir's actions to identity Uruguay with the Allied cause in World War Two have lessened his reputation as a controversial historical figure. It may be noted that he was a leading supporter of the previous President of Uruguay Gabriel Terra, who ruled by decree.

ee also

* Politics of Uruguay