Odría Amoretti, Manuel Apolinário (1897–1974)

Peruvian politician and president 1948–56. He assumed power after a coup but was formally elected in 1950. He assumed dictatorial powers and imposed a repressive regime on the opposition parties. He proposed and implemented measures to bring about economic reform and political stability to the nation, though they were ineffective. Towards the end of his term in office, economic problems and rampant inflation were endemic and opposition to his regime resulted in widespread riots and social disturbances.

In 1956, Odría was compelled to permit elections and when succeeded by Manuel Prado, he went into voluntary exile in the USA. In 1962, Odría ran again for the presidency, but was unsuccessful.

A general, and army chief of staff in 1946, he also served as interior minister under President José Bustamante. In October 1948, he was responsible for leading a military coup that ousted Bustamente from office. Following the coup, he took up presidential office.