Fernando Bela nde Terry
Fernando Belaúnde Terry (October 7, 1912 - June 4, 2002) was the constitutional President of Peru for two terms (1963–1968 and 1980–1985). He fervently promoted and defended the democratic system.
Belaúnde was born in Lima into a wealthy family. His father was Mr. Rafael Belaúnde his mother Mrs. Lucía Terry. He was the second of four children. Studied in "La Recoleta", a primary school in Lima. His father moved the family to France and Fernando studied High School there.
From 1924 to 1935, he studied architecture in the United States and France, graduating as an Architect in the University of Austin, Texas. He worked as an architect in Mexico for a brief time, but returned to Peru in 1936, where he started his professional career in the Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería. After a few years he became Dean of the Architecture Faculty.
Belaúnde political career began in 1956, when he founded the Popular Action Party ("Accion Popular"). His presidential candidature was launched by the "National Front of Democratic Youth". He was able to garner strong popular support, but was not enough to get him the presidency. He obtained the second place, and the election was won by Manuel Prado. Between 1956 and 1962, Belaunde travels to many different placed in Peru, going from village to village looking for inspiration. During that time, the ideological principles of the Popular Action Party began to form and mature.
Belaunde ran for president once again in the general elections of 1962, with his own party, Accion Popular. Serious problems in the elections forced the Peruvian military to depose president Prado and the creation of a Military Junta to run the country. In 1963, Belaunde was installed as president by the junta that ruled Peru at the time. The junta had just overthrown Ricardo Pío Pérez Godoy and decided that moderate Belaúnde would be a better replacement. However, Belaúnde mishandled the economy and by 1967 the sol was seriously devaluated.
A long dispute over the claims of the International Petroleum Company, a subsidiary of Standard Oil of New Jersey, in the rich La Brea y Pariñas oil fields was finally settled by the Belaúnde government in August of 1968. However, widespread anger about Belaúnde's decision forced his Cabinet to resign on October 1. Several days later, Belaúnde himself was overthrown.
On August 29, 1975, a coup d'état overthrew the Peruvian government. The leader of the coup promised free elections in 1980, and in those elections, Belaúnde was once again elected.
Belaúnde began his second term as Peruvian president by adopting a new constitution. During the next five years, per capita income declined, Peru's foreign debt rose, and violence by leftist guerillas (notably the Shining Path group) mounted.
In the elections of 1985, Belaúnde was defeated by American Popular Revolutionary Alliance candidate Alan García.
Belaúnde was known for his pro-US political stance and his attempts at democratic reform. Although members of his party were accused of corruption, Belaúnde was never directly accused of anything, and managed to gain the respect of the Peruvian people, before, during & arter his presidency.
Belaúnde died in Lima in 2002 at age 89.
Categories: 1912 births | 2002 deaths | Presidents of Peru