Hernández Martínez, Maximiliano (1883-1966)

El Salvadorean dictator, president 1931-44 during the inter-war Depression. An admirer of fascist theories, he ruthlessly suppressed opposition, killing an estimated 45,000 peasants who had participated in a communist-organized uprising in 1932. He sharply reduced government spending during the Depression and financed road-building programmes from current revenues. A general strike, led by students, which erupted after a failed army uprising in protest against a further extension of his term in office, forced his resignation in March 1944 and exile to Honduras.

Trained at El Salvador's Military Polytechnic, Hernández was a professional soldier who rose to the rank of army commander-in-chief, in 1931. He seized power from President Arturo Araújo in a palace revolt in December 1931, at a time of economic and social unrest, and was elected president in 1935. He subsequently remained in office through having constitutional conventions extend his term.

In 1944, revolt against him spread to Guatemala, where it led to the ousting of Jorge Ubico Castañeda. Hernández was murdered in Honduras, in 1966, by his chauffeur, following a quarrel.