Echeverría Alvarez, Luis (1922– )

Mexican politician, president 1970–76. He espoused reforms such as land redistribution and the expansion of social security, but his administration was troubled by runaway inflation, high unemployment, and a declining balance of trade.

With a background as a lawyer and law professor, he joined the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and held many government posts from the 1940s, including secretary of the interior 1964–69. In 1977 he became ambassador to UNESCO.