Carlos Ibanez del Campo (3 November 1877-28 April 1960) was President of Chile from 10 May 1927 to 15 November 1931 (succeeding Emiliano Figueroa and preceding Pedro Opaso) and from 3 November 1952 to 3 November 1958 (succeeding Gabriel Gonzalez Videla and preceding Jorge Alessandri).
Biography[]
Carlos Ibanez del Campo was born in Linares, Chile in 1877 to a wealthy family. He had a successful career in the army and in 1924 took part in a military coup against President Arturo Alessandri. When the latter was restored, he briefly became Minister of War before seizing power himself in 1925. Elected President in 1927, he at once imprisoned or exiled his political opponents. He introduced a series of reforms, notably of the police, and introduced public works. However, Chile's economy collapsed during the Great Depression, forcing his resignation. In 1937, he briefly returned from exile to lead a series of abortive fascist uprisings. Against the background of widespread disillusionment with party politics, he was elected as the "general of hope" in 1952. To everyone's surprise his regime was conciliatory, encouraging economic growth and seeking to end corruption. It won the support of the more progressive middle class and of the trade unions, promulgating a Labour Code. He was succeeded by Alessandri's son, Jorge.