Ubico Castañeda, Jorge (1878-1946)

Guatemalan soldier and politician, member of the Progressive Party, dictator-president 1931-44. His rule was characterized by a combination of economic efficiency and political authoritarianism. His government supported business, carried out extensive road construction, increased health and educational provision, and restored the country's finances.

Opposition to his presidency, which mounted as economic conditions deteriorated in World War II, was firmly suppressed and Ubico's presidential term was twice extended by extralegal ‘plebiscites’. In June 1944, after a popular revolt in El Salvador that deposed Maximiliano Hernández Martínez, Ubico was overthrown by a general strike and driven into exile, to New Orleans, USA.

Educated partly in the USA, Ubico became a professional soldier, reaching the rank of general. He won the 1930 presidential election with the support of the Liberal Party, and took office in February 1931.