Elías Wessin y Wessin
Encyclopedia
Elías Wessin y Wessin was a Dominican
politician
and Dominican Air Force
general
. Wessin led the military coup which ousted the government of Dominican President Juan Bosch
in 1963, replacing it with a triumvirate
. Wessin was also a key figure in the ensuing Dominican Civil War
, which led to a United States military intervention and occupation the Dominican Republic in 1965.
, Monte Plata Province
, Dominican Republic
, on July 22, 1924. His parents were immigrants from Lebanon
.
Wessin's career in the Dominican Air Force
began as a military pilot.
of President Rafael Trujillo, a dictator
. Wessin, who commanded an infantry battalion at the time of Trujillo's assassination, helped Trujillo's wife and family to flee the country.
Wessin was allowed to return from exile in 1978 after the government issued a general amnesty. He reconciled with his former political rival, President Joaquín Balaguer, and actively campaigned for Balaguer during the 1986 presidential election. Due to his support for Balaguer, Wessin served as the country's Interior Minister
and, later, as Secretary of the Armed Forces during Balaguer's administrations.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and Dominican Air Force
Dominican Air Force
The Air Force of the Dominican Republic or Fuerza Aérea Dominicana, is one of the three branches of the Military of the Dominican Republic, together with the Army and the Navy.- History :...
general
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
. Wessin led the military coup which ousted the government of Dominican President Juan Bosch
Juan Bosch
Juan Emilio Bosch Gaviño was a politician, historian, short story writer, essayist, educator, and the first cleanly elected president of the Dominican Republic for a brief time in 1963. Previously, he had been the leader of the Dominican opposition in exile to the dictatorial regime of Rafael...
in 1963, replacing it with a triumvirate
Triumvirate
A triumvirate is a political regime dominated by three powerful individuals, each a triumvir . The arrangement can be formal or informal, and though the three are usually equal on paper, in reality this is rarely the case...
. Wessin was also a key figure in the ensuing Dominican Civil War
Dominican Civil War
The Dominican Civil War better known as Guerra de Abril took place between April 24, 1965 and September 3, 1965, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic...
, which led to a United States military intervention and occupation the Dominican Republic in 1965.
Early life
Wessin was born in BayaguanaBayaguana
Bayaguana is a municipality of the Monte Plata province in the Dominican Republic.As of the Dominican Republic's 2002 census, the municipality had a total population of 33,122 inhabitants, of which 19,351 resided in urban areas and 13,771 in rural areas.Bayaguana was founded in 1606, when Spain...
, Monte Plata Province
Monte Plata Province
Monte Plata is a province of the Dominican Republic, and also the name of its capital city. It was split from San Cristóbal in 1992.-Municipalities and municipal districts:...
, Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
, on July 22, 1924. His parents were immigrants from Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
.
Wessin's career in the Dominican Air Force
Dominican Air Force
The Air Force of the Dominican Republic or Fuerza Aérea Dominicana, is one of the three branches of the Military of the Dominican Republic, together with the Army and the Navy.- History :...
began as a military pilot.
Career
Wessin's first intervention in Dominican politics as an air force officer began in 1961, following the assassinationAssassination
To carry out an assassination is "to murder by a sudden and/or secret attack, often for political reasons." Alternatively, assassination may be defined as "the act of deliberately killing someone, especially a public figure, usually for hire or for political reasons."An assassination may be...
of President Rafael Trujillo, a dictator
Dictator
A dictator is a ruler who assumes sole and absolute power but without hereditary ascension such as an absolute monarch. When other states call the head of state of a particular state a dictator, that state is called a dictatorship...
. Wessin, who commanded an infantry battalion at the time of Trujillo's assassination, helped Trujillo's wife and family to flee the country.
Wessin was allowed to return from exile in 1978 after the government issued a general amnesty. He reconciled with his former political rival, President Joaquín Balaguer, and actively campaigned for Balaguer during the 1986 presidential election. Due to his support for Balaguer, Wessin served as the country's Interior Minister
Interior minister
An interior ministry is a government ministry typically responsible for policing, national security, and immigration matters. The ministry is often headed by a minister of the interior or minister of home affairs...
and, later, as Secretary of the Armed Forces during Balaguer's administrations.