Ramon Villeda Morales
Encyclopedia
Dr. Ramón Villeda Morales (1909–1971) served as President
of Honduras
from 1957 to 1963. Trained as a physician, Villeda Morales was a liberal who supported the democratization of Honduras after a long period of military
rule. He was the Liberal Party
candidate in the 1954 presidential election
, the first free election for over two decades, winning a plurality over a divided National Party but short of a majority. The deadlock led to a coup by vice-President Julio Lozano Díaz
. Following the military junta of the 1955, he was chosen by the country's constituent assembly
to serve as president and oversee the transition to democracy. Villeda Morales immediately embarked on a campaign which he believed would help the poorer elements of society, introducing welfare benefits and enacting a new labor code that favored the country's large working class population (working on the theory that regulations, rather than the market, can improve rather than undermine, long term conditions of work). While these steps were popular with "the masses", they enraged the traditional sources of power in Honduras: the military and the upper classes. When it seemed likely that the Liberal Party candidate, Modesto Rodas Alvarado; would win the 1963 election with an even stronger mandate to enact social reforms, the military responded with a coup, just ten days before the election was scheduled to take place.
. Ramón Villeda Morales died in 1971 in New York City
.
San Pedro Sula International Airport
is named after him. Now one of his sons Mauricio Villeda Morales is also into politics and now he is running for president along with Elvin Santos.
President of Honduras
This page lists the Presidents of Honduras.Colonial Honduras declared its independence from Spain on 15 September 1821. From 5 January 1822 to 1 July 1823, Honduras was part of the First Mexican Empire of Agustín de Iturbide....
of Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
from 1957 to 1963. Trained as a physician, Villeda Morales was a liberal who supported the democratization of Honduras after a long period of military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
rule. He was the Liberal Party
Liberal Party of Honduras
The Liberal Party of Honduras is a centre-left liberal political party in Honduras that was founded in 1891. The party is a member of the Liberal International...
candidate in the 1954 presidential election
Honduran general election, 1954
A general election was held in Honduras on 10 October 1954. The elections took place, with relative honesty.The split among the Nationalists enabled the Liberals to win a plurality in the national elections, but without an absolute majority the election was thrown into the National Congress, where...
, the first free election for over two decades, winning a plurality over a divided National Party but short of a majority. The deadlock led to a coup by vice-President Julio Lozano Díaz
Julio Lozano Díaz
Julio Lozano Díaz , was first vice-president and then president of Honduras, from 5 December 1954 until 21 October 1956.Previously he was an accountant for the Rosario Mining Company....
. Following the military junta of the 1955, he was chosen by the country's constituent assembly
Constituent assembly
A constituent assembly is a body composed for the purpose of drafting or adopting a constitution...
to serve as president and oversee the transition to democracy. Villeda Morales immediately embarked on a campaign which he believed would help the poorer elements of society, introducing welfare benefits and enacting a new labor code that favored the country's large working class population (working on the theory that regulations, rather than the market, can improve rather than undermine, long term conditions of work). While these steps were popular with "the masses", they enraged the traditional sources of power in Honduras: the military and the upper classes. When it seemed likely that the Liberal Party candidate, Modesto Rodas Alvarado; would win the 1963 election with an even stronger mandate to enact social reforms, the military responded with a coup, just ten days before the election was scheduled to take place.
Legacy
Villeda Morales helped modernize Honduras, and to create its public health, public education, and social security systems. He was a key supporter of the Alliance for ProgressAlliance for Progress
The Alliance for Progress initiated by U.S. President John F. Kennedy in 1961 aimed to establish economic cooperation between the U.S. and South America.-Origin and goals:...
. Ramón Villeda Morales died in 1971 in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
San Pedro Sula International Airport
Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport
Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport , also known as La Mesa International Airport, is located from the city of San Pedro Sula, in the Cortés Department in Honduras. The airport is named after Ramón Villeda Morales, who served as President of Honduras from 1957 to 1963.It is the major and...
is named after him. Now one of his sons Mauricio Villeda Morales is also into politics and now he is running for president along with Elvin Santos.
See also
- History of HondurasHistory of HondurasHonduras was already occupied by many indigenous peoples when the Spanish arrived in the 16th century. The western-central part of Honduras was inhabited by the Lencas, the central north coast by the Tol, the area east of Trujillo by the Pech and the Miskito and Sumo...