Higinio Morínigo
Higinio Nicolás Morínigo Martínez (11 January 1897 – 27 January 1983) was a Paraguayan military officer and politician who served as the 35th president of Paraguay from 1940 to 1948, ruling as a military dictator.
Major General Higinio Morínigo | |
|---|---|
Portrait, c. 1946 | |
| 35th President of Paraguay | |
| In office September 7, 1940 – June 3, 1948 | |
| Preceded by | José Félix Estigarribia |
| Succeeded by | Juan Manuel Frutos |
| Minister of War and Navy of Paraguay | |
| In office May 17, 1940 – September 7, 1940 | |
| Preceded by | Eduardo Torreani Viera |
| Succeeded by | Paulino Ántola |
| Minister of the Interior of Paraguay | |
| In office January 25, 1939 – August 15, 1939 | |
| Preceded by | Arturo Bray |
| Succeeded by | Nicolás Delgado |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Higinio Nicolás Morínigo Martínez January 11, 1897 Paraguarí, Paraguay |
| Died | January 27, 1983 (aged 86) Asunción, Paraguay |
| Political party | None |
| Spouse | Dolores Ferrari (1932–1983) |
| Children | Higinio Emilio, Juan Alberto, Guillermo Gerardo |
| Military service | |
| Rank | Major General (1940) |
Born to a mestizo family, Morínigo pursued a military career, serving as a prominent officer of the Paraguayan Army during the Chaco War. After the war he served in the cabinet of liberal President Félix Paiva. In May 1940, Morínigo was appointed Minister of War by President José Félix Estigarribia. After Estigarribia's death on 7 September, Morínigo succeeded him as acting president.
Due to the new constitution enacted by Estigarribia shortly before his death, which gave immense power to the president, Morínigo was able to establish a military dictatorship. In 1943, after three years serving as acting president, Morínigo was elected to a full term, having ran unopposed as all political parties were banned.
He was overthrown and was forced to resign in 1948 due to suspicions that he wanted to perpetuate himself in power, despite Juan Natalicio González being chosen as his successor, he was replaced by then President of the Supreme Court of Justice Juan Manuel Frutos as Provisional President.