Justo, Agustin Pedro (1876–1943)

Argentine military leader and president 1932–38. During his administration, economic and political problems, left over from the previous administrations, were rife. He was instrumental – along with his foreign minister, Carlos Saavedra Lamas – in ending the Chaco War between Bolivia and Paraguay 1932–35.

During World War II, Justo was openly critical of former president Ramón Castillo's policy of neutrality and sought to support the allied cause by declaring war on the Axis powers.

Justo was born in Concepción del Uruguay, and educated at several military schools. He had an active career teaching military science before entering into political life. As an army general, he became prominent as a war minister in 1922, under Marcelo Torcuato de Alvear. He also served as a minister of agriculture and public works. He took part in the conservative overthrow of President Irigoyen in 1930, and later went on to become the victorious presidential candidate in the 1931 elections.