Ydígoras Fuentes, Miguel (1895–1982)

Guatemalan politician, president 1958–63. He promoted reform but encountered conservative opposition, while falling coffee prices resulted in social disorder to which Ydígoras responded by imposing martial law. He involved Guatemala as a satellite supporter of the USA in the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. This stirred up left-wing opposition to the government, culminating in an attempted coup in February 1962 by leftist guerrillas, supported by student protesters. In March 1963 defence minister Enrique Peralta Azurdia ousted and replaced Ydígoras, forcing him into exile.

Ydígoras served under presidents Ubico and Arévalo and was defeated in the presidential elections of 1950 and 1957.