Ávila Camacho, Manuel (1897–1955)

Mexican politician, president 1940–46. In 1938 he was made minister of national defence and was elected president in 1940, as candidate of the Mexican Revolutionary Army. As president he pursued a less radical programme of agricultural, industrial, and educational reforms than his predecessor, Lázaro Cárdenas. During World War II his government developed close ties with the USA and, in 1945, after oil tankers were sunk by German submarines, Mexican fighter planes were sent to the Pacific.

A self-educated farmer's son, Ávila Camacho joined the revolutionary army of Victoriano Huerta in 1914, becoming a brigadier general. In 1920 he was chief of general staff to Lázaro Cárdenas, and during the 1930s secured a reputation as a conciliatory negotiator with rebel forces. He retired from politics in 1946.