Óscar Diego Gestido Pose (3 November 1901 – 6 December 1967), was a

Uruguay Uruguay, officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, is a country in South America. It shares borders with Argentina to its west and southwest and Brazil to its north and northeast, while bordering the Río de la Plata to the south and the A ...

an politician and military officer who was the 32nd

President of Uruguay The president of Uruguay (), officially known as the president of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay (), is the head of state and head of government of Uruguay. The president presides over the Cabinet of Uruguay, Council of Ministers, directing ...

from March 1967 until his death in December of the same year.

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 A referendum, plebiscite, or ballot measure is a direct vote by the electorate (rather than their representatives) on a proposal, law, or political issue. A referendum may be either binding (resulting in the adoption of a new policy) or advis ...

which gave place to a new Constitution restoring one-person presidency. Diego Gestido was elected President. Prominent people in his government included

Vice President A vice president or vice-president, also director in British English, is an officer in government or business who is below the president (chief executive officer) in rank. It can also refer to executive vice presidents, signifying that the vi ...

Jorge Pacheco Areco Jorge Pacheco Areco (; April 9, 1920 – July 29, 1998) was a Uruguayan politician and journalist and the 33rd president of Uruguay, serving from 1967 to 1972. Formerly the Vice President of Uruguay Pacheco became President after the sudden deat ...

, César Charlone,

Luis Hierro Gambardella Luis Hierro Gambardella (1 September 1915, Treinta y Tres - 17 July 1991) was a Uruguayan political figure. Background He was a member of the Colorado Party. His father Luis Hierro was a Deputy from Treinta y Tres. His son Luis Antonio Hierro L ...

Julio Lacarte Muró Julio Lacarte Muró (March 29, 1918 – March 4, 2016) was a Uruguayan diplomat and politician. A man of the Colorado Party, he ran for Vice-President in 1966. In 1967 he served as Minister of Industry and Commerce in the cabinet of President ...

Manuel Flores Mora Manuel Flores Mora (September 4, 1923 – February 15, 1985) was a Uruguayan journalist and politician representing the Colorado Party. Background and early career A direct descendant of 19th century President Venancio Flores, Flores worked in ...

, and

Zelmar Michelini Zelmar Raúl Michelini Guarch (20 May 1924 – 20 May 1976) was a Uruguayan reporter and politician, assassinated in Buenos Aires in 1976 as part of Operation Condor. Career Zelmar Michelini was member of the Chamber of Deputies from 1954 to 195 ...

, 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 The Central Cemetery (Spanish: ''Cementerio central'') of Barrio Sur, Montevideo, is one of the main cemeteries in Uruguay. It also ranks amongst the most popular in the country, given that most famous Uruguayan people are buried there. It is l ...

. His death meant that three Uruguayan Presidents had died in office in a 20-year period. He was immediately succeeded by his vice president, Pacheco Areco.

Family

His brother

Álvaro Gestido Álvaro Antonio Gestido Pose (17 May 1907 — 18 January 1957) was a Uruguayan footballer who played as a midfielder for Uruguay national team. He played for Peñarol in club football from 1926 to 1940. He has played 26 matches for the nat ...

was a notable Uruguayan football player.

Honors

Rivera International Airport Pres. Gral. Óscar D. Gestido Binational Airport , formerly called Cerro Chapeu International Airport, is an airport serving both the cities of Rivera, Uruguay, and Santana do Livramento, Brazil. History The airport was opened on June 16, 1979 ...

is named after him.

External links

Various editions of Unidad Colorada (Colorado newspaper oriented towards Gestido)

References

, - {{DEFAULTSORT:Gestido, Oscar 1901 births 1967 deaths Politicians from Montevideo Uruguayan people of Galician descent Colorado Party (Uruguay) politicians National Council of Government (Uruguay) 20th-century presidents of Uruguay Uruguayan Air Force generals Burials at the Central Cemetery of Montevideo National presidents who died in office