This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2008)

Alfredo Baldomir Ferrari (August 27, 1884 – February 25, 1948) was an Uruguayan soldier, architect and politician. He served as President of Uruguay from 1938 to 1943 and is most notable for leading Uruguay to support the Allies during World War II.

[edit] Background

Baldomir was born in Montevideo. He joined the army in 1900 and studied architecture and engineering. He designed many famous buildings in Uruguay, eventually directed the army corps of engineers and worked as a professor.

By 1930, Baldomir was becoming involved in politics. He served as chief of police of Montevideo from 1931 to 1934 and as defense minister of Uruguay from 1935 to 1938, and was thus strongly identified with the rule of the then President of Uruguay Gabriel Terra.

[edit] President of Uruguay

He was elected President of Uruguay in 1938 as a member of the long-ruling Colorado Party. He took office as President on June 19, 1938; Vice President of Uruguay during his period of Presidential office was Alfredo Navarro. Baldomir set a high priority in involving Uruguay in international affairs, and appointed the famous diplomat Alberto Guani as foreign minister. As World War II broke out, Baldomir discouraged support for the Axis within the country, and early in 1942, he broke off diplomatic relations with the Axis Powers. In 1942, Baldomir, now a general in the army, expanded his powers through a military coup dissolving parliament and declaring an emergency. His term, which was soon to expire, was extended for a year.

In 1943, Baldomir voluntarily held elections and gave up power, but the continued dominance of the Colorados was insured.

[edit] Retirement and death

Baldomir retired from office on March 1, 1943.

Five years later died of an illness in Montevideo.

[edit] Legacy

Baldomir's actions to identity Uruguay with the Allied cause in World War II have lessened his reputation as a controversial historical figure. It may be noted that he was a leading supporter of the previous President of Uruguay Gabriel Terra, who ruled by decree.

[edit] See also

• Politics of Uruguay

v • d • e Presidents of Uruguay Luis Eduardo Perez · Fructuoso Rivera · Carlos Anaya · Manuel Oribe · Fructuoso Rivera · Juan Francisco Giró · Venancio Flores · Gabriel Antonio Pereira · Bernardo Berro · Lorenzo Batlle · José Ellauri · Pedro Varela · Lorenzo Latorre · Francisco Vidal · Miguel Alberto Flangini Ximénez · Máximo Santos · Francisco Vidal · Máximo Santos · Máximo Tajes · Julio Herrera y Obes · Juan Idiarte Borda · Juan Lindolfo Cuestas · José Batlle y Ordóñez · Feliciano Viera · Baltasar Brum · José Serrato · Juan Campisteguy · Gabriel Terra · Alfredo Baldomir · Juan José de Amézaga · Tomás Berreta · Luis Batlle Berres · Andrés Martínez Trueba · Consejo Nacional de Gobierno · Óscar Diego Gestido · Jorge Pacheco Areco · Juan María Bordaberry · Alberto Demichelli · Aparicio Méndez · Gregorio Álvarez · Rafael Addiego Bruno · Julio María Sanguinetti · Luis Alberto Lacalle · Julio María Sanguinetti · Jorge Batlle Ibáñez · Tabaré Vázquez · José Mujica (Elect)

This article about a Uruguayan politician is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e

This biographical article related to the South American military is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e