Omar Torrijos - Elected Official, Birthday and Family
Home › Panamanian › Omar TorrijosFebruary 13, 1929618 viewsOmar Torrijos's Personal Details
Omar Torrijos was a famous political leader of Panama, who is known for the Panama Canal treaties signed with U.S.A
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | February 13, 1929 |
| Died on | July 31, 1981 |
| Nationality | Panamanian |
| Famous | Leaders, Political Leaders, Elected Official |
| Spouses | Raquel Pauzner |
| Known as | Торрихос, Омар |
| Childrens | Martín Torrijos |
| Founder / Co-Founder |
|
| Cause of death |
|
| Birth Place | Santiago de Veraguas |
| Political Ideology | Political party - Democratic Revolutionary Party (1979-1981) |
| Religion | Catholicism |
| Gender | Male |
| Sun Sign | Aquarius |
| Born in | Santiago de Veraguas |
| Famous as | Elected official |
| Died at Age | 52 |
Omar Torrijos's photo
Who is Omar Torrijos?
Omar Torrijos was a famous military ruler and dictator of the Republic of Panama, for almost thirteen years. Initially, he served in the army, known as the 'Guardia Nacional', where he rose up the ranks with exemplary dedication and hard work. After a military coup that overthrew the President Arnulfo Arias, this military leader took over the reins, and began ruling the nation almost single-handedly. Torrijos who wielded absolute power by electing his comrades like José María Pinilla Fábrega and Demetrio Lakas as the Presidents, who were merely puppet-heads. As the ruler of the nation, he was the first one to sign a treaty with U.S. President Jimmy Carter, demanding the return of control of the Canal Zone near Panama. He was also particularly empathetic towards the poor farmers, and introduced several agricultural and educational reforms for the Spanish-speaking ethnic groups. He made schools, and opened up a world of opportunities for the less fortunate. This made him quite a popular leader, amongst the lower social classes, despite his military regime, where he drafted a new restrictive constitution, and controlled the legislature as well as the press. The following biography provides an insight to the life and works of this military ruler
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Childhood & Early Life
Omar Efraín Torrijos Herrera was born to José Maria, a teacher, and his wife, on February 13, 1929, in the city of Santiago de Veraguas, Republic of Panama, and had ten siblings.
On completion of his secondary education from the 'Juan Demóstenes Arosemena School' in Santiago, he joined the military academy of San Salvador, after earning a scholarship.
Career
In 1952, he was employed as a second lieutenant by the army of Panama, known as the 'Guardia Nacional' ('National Guard'). Four years later, he became a captain, and by the beginning of the next decade, he was serving as a major in the army.
Omar underwent military training in 1965, from 'US Army School of the Americas', now known as 'Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation' ('WHINSEC'), in Georgia. The following year he was made the Executive Secretary of 'Guardia Nacional', eventually got promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel.
In 1968, Torrijos was sent to El Salvador to serve in the embassy as a military attaché, after he allegedly got involved in rigging of elections. The same year, his comrades Coronel Jose Humberto Ramos and Major Boris Martínez planned a coup d'etat against President Arnulfo Arias. Arias had been elected as President for only eleven days.
After the coup saw the successful ousting of Arias, Omar and his colleague Demetrio Lakas decided to replace the exiled President with his deputy Raul Arango. Eventually José María Pinilla Fábrega was made the provisional President of Panama, though it was Torrijos and Martínez who dictated the newly established junta.
Soon, Omar was appointed as the commandment of 'Guardia Nacional', and in this capacity he took control of the press, including famous newspaper 'La Estrella de Panama', the legislature, and all political parties, thus establishing a rigid military rule.
Once, the military leader consolidated his new-found power, he sent his friends Martínez and Jose H. Ramos into exile in 1969. The same year, Demetrio Lakas was made the puppet head-of-state, with the dictator holding all actual powers.
The dictator announced elections in 1972, which was strictly monitored and only one opposition leader was allowed to contest. The 'Assembly of Community Representatives', approved the introduction of a new constitution, and voted for Lakas to be the President of Panama.
During his regime, Omar aimed at taking control of the region around the Panama Canal, and for this he initiated the 'Torrijos–Carter Treaties', along with U.S. President Jimmy Carter, on September 7, 1977.
In 1978, he made his supporter Aristides Royo the new President, while he publicly announced his retirement. However, he still pulled the reigns, and made his rule slightly more flexible, granting a few civil liberties.
The following year, in 1979, Torrijos founded the 'Partido Revolucionario Democrático' ('PRD' or 'Democratic Revolutionary Party'). The political party vaguely followed socialist ideals, and was an amalgamation of leftist as well as rightist principles.
During his rule, he also made a few changes to the constitution drafted earlier, announcing 1984 as the probable date for the next elections. Apart from that he introduced new plans of action that would benefit the poor peasants and ethnic tribes.
He created employment opportunities, and established several schools to impart affordable education to the underprivileged. He gave land rights to farmers, and curbed the power of landowners, so that peasants were never repressed. These reforms made him popular with the mass, even though he was a staunch dictator.
Major Works
A dictator who thought about the well-being of his citizens, Omar is famous for having initiated talks with U.S. President Jimmy Carter, about transfer of control of the Canal Zone from U.S. authorities to the Panamanian government. It is because of this negotiation, known as the 'Torrijos–Carter Treaties’ that the control was handed over completely to Panama by the beginning of 2000.
Personal Life & Legacy
In 1954, the military dictator got married to Raquel Pauzner, and the couple had three children. He also had a son, Martin, from an illegitimate affair, who later went on to become the President of Panama.
At the age of 52, on July 31, 1981, Omar died in a plane crash close to Penonomé, in Panama. According to reports, the 'DeHavilland Twin Otter' ('DHC-6') aeroplane had lost its way during a storm, but the incident was announced only a day later. After a few more days, the body and the crashed aircraft was found by a 'Special Forces' team.
Though a seemingly natural accident, there have been speculations that the plane had been tampered with either by CIA official of U.S.A. or by future dictator Manuel Noriega, as an assassination attempt.
After Torrijo's death, a nation-wide funeral service was held, and the body was temporarily interred at a churchyard in the city of Casco Viejo. Later the famous dictator’s body was transferred to a sepulchre in the Panama Canal Zone.
The site of the plane crash has been converted to a national park, whereas one of his residences at Coclesito has been turned into a museum.
Trivia
Though this military leader was never declared President, he was often hailed as the “Supreme Chief of Government” and “Maximum Leader of the Panamanian Revolution”
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Omar Torrijos biography timelines
- // 13th Feb 1929Omar Efraín Torrijos Herrera was born to José Maria, a teacher, and his wife, on February 13, 1929, in the city of Santiago de Veraguas, Republic of Panama, and had ten siblings.
- // 1952In 1952, he was employed as a second lieutenant by the army of Panama, known as the 'Guardia Nacional' ('National Guard'). Four years later, he became a captain, and by the beginning of the next decade, he was serving as a major in the army.
- // 1954In 1954, the military dictator got married to Raquel Pauzner, and the couple had three children. He also had a son, Martin, from an illegitimate affair, who later went on to become the President of Panama.
- // 1965Omar underwent military training in 1965, from 'US Army School of the Americas', now known as 'Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation' ('WHINSEC'), in Georgia. The following year he was made the Executive Secretary of 'Guardia Nacional', eventually got promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel.
- // 1968In 1968, Torrijos was sent to El Salvador to serve in the embassy as a military attaché, after he allegedly got involved in rigging of elections. The same year, his comrades Coronel Jose Humberto Ramos and Major Boris Martínez planned a coup d'etat against President Arnulfo Arias. Arias had been elected as President for only eleven days.
- // 1969Once, the military leader consolidated his new-found power, he sent his friends Martínez and Jose H. Ramos into exile in 1969. The same year, Demetrio Lakas was made the puppet head-of-state, with the dictator holding all actual powers.
- // 1972The dictator announced elections in 1972, which was strictly monitored and only one opposition leader was allowed to contest. The 'Assembly of Community Representatives', approved the introduction of a new constitution, and voted for Lakas to be the President of Panama.
- // 7th Sep 1977During his regime, Omar aimed at taking control of the region around the Panama Canal, and for this he initiated the 'Torrijos–Carter Treaties', along with U.S. President Jimmy Carter, on September 7, 1977.
- // 1978In 1978, he made his supporter Aristides Royo the new President, while he publicly announced his retirement. However, he still pulled the reigns, and made his rule slightly more flexible, granting a few civil liberties.
- // 1979The following year, in 1979, Torrijos founded the 'Partido Revolucionario Democrático' ('PRD' or 'Democratic Revolutionary Party'). The political party vaguely followed socialist ideals, and was an amalgamation of leftist as well as rightist principles.
- // 31st Jul 1981At the age of 52, on July 31, 1981, Omar died in a plane crash close to Penonomé, in Panama. According to reports, the 'DeHavilland Twin Otter' ('DHC-6') aeroplane had lost its way during a storm, but the incident was announced only a day later. After a few more days, the body and the crashed aircraft was found by a 'Special Forces' team.
- // 1984During his rule, he also made a few changes to the constitution drafted earlier, announcing 1984 as the probable date for the next elections. Apart from that he introduced new plans of action that would benefit the poor peasants and ethnic tribes.
- // 2000A dictator who thought about the well-being of his citizens, Omar is famous for having initiated talks with U.S. President Jimmy Carter, about transfer of control of the Canal Zone from U.S. authorities to the Panamanian government. It is because of this negotiation, known as the 'Torrijos–Carter Treaties’ that the control was handed over completely to Panama by the beginning of 2000.
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Omar Torrijos's FAQ
What is Omar Torrijos birthday?
Omar Torrijos was born at 1929-02-13
When was Omar Torrijos died?
Omar Torrijos was died at 1981-07-31
Where was Omar Torrijos died?
Omar Torrijos was died in Penonomé, Coclé
Which age was Omar Torrijos died?
Omar Torrijos was died at age 52
Where is Omar Torrijos's birth place?
Omar Torrijos was born in Santiago de Veraguas
What is Omar Torrijos nationalities?
Omar Torrijos's nationalities is Panamanian
Who is Omar Torrijos spouses?
Omar Torrijos's spouses is Raquel Pauzner
Who is Omar Torrijos childrens?
Omar Torrijos's childrens is Martín Torrijos
Which company or organization was founded by Omar Torrijos?
Omar Torrijos was the founder/co-founder of Democratic Revolutionary Party
What is Omar Torrijos's cause of dead?
Omar Torrijos dead because of Plane Crash
What is Omar Torrijos's political ideology?
Omar Torrijos's political ideology is Political party - Democratic Revolutionary Party (1979-1981)
What is Omar Torrijos's religion?
Omar Torrijos's religion is Catholicism
What is Omar Torrijos's sun sign?
Omar Torrijos is Aquarius
How famous is Omar Torrijos?
Omar Torrijos is famouse as Elected official