Carías Andino, Tiburcio (1876–1969)

Honduran right-wing National Party politician, dictator-president 1933–49. During his presidency press and labour union freedoms were curtailed and his term was twice extended by the congress. He chose not to contest the 1948 presidential elections, which were won by Juan Manuel Gálvez, the government candidate, but attempted, unsuccessfully, a comeback in the 1954 elections.

Active in the right-wing National Party from its inception in 1902, Carías spent parts of the following two decades in exile in El Salvador and Guatemala. He secured most votes in the 1924 presidential election, but fell short of a majority and his running mate, Miguel Paz Baraona, became president. After defeat in the 1928 presidential election, he finally had success in 1932, taking office in 1933. However, he assumed power at a time of political instability and economic depression, which he reacted to with political repression and retrenchment.