| Name | Gustavo Rojas Pinilla |
|---|---|
| Order | 46th |
| Office | President of Colombia |
| Term start | June 13, 1953 |
| Term end | May 10, 1957 |
| Predecessor | Roberto Urdaneta Arbeláez |
| Successor | Military JuntaGabriel París Gordillo |
| Office2 | Minister of Posts and Telegraphs |
| Term start2 | December 3, 1949 |
| Term end2 | August 7, 1950 |
| President2 | Mariano Ospina Pérez |
| Predecessor2 | José Vicente Dávila Tello |
| Successor2 | José Tomás Angulo |
| Birth date | March 12, 1900 |
| Birth place | Tunja, Boyacá, Colombia |
| Death date | |
| Death place | Melgar, Tolima, Colombia |
| Nationality | Colombian |
| Party | National Popular Alliance |
| Spouse | Carola Correa Londoño |
| Partner | |
| Relations | Samuel Moreno Rojas (grandson)Iván Moreno Rojas (grandson) |
| Children | Gustavo Emilio Rojas CorreaMaría Eugenia Rojas CorreaCarlos Rojas Correa |
| Alma mater | Trine University |
| Occupation | Soldier (General), politician |
| Profession | Civil Engineering |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Allegiance | Colombia |
| Branch | Army |
| Rank | Captain General |
| Battles | Colombia-Peru WarKorean WarLa Violencia |
Gustavo Rojas Pinilla was a Colombian politician, military officer, General of the Army and President of Colombia between 1953 and 1957.
In 1932, Rojas was called to the front lines in order to defend the country in the war against Perú. The following year he was assigned to Buenaventura's port as commander of the Coast Battery and military engineer of the region in case of a Peruvian attack. In 1936, he became an engineer of the technical department of the Colombian Army, ammunitions factory, on behalf of which he was sent on a special mission to Germany to obtain the machinery necessary to make ammunitions in Bogotá. On his return to Colombia he was nominated as chief of the technical department of the munitions factory.
Rojas was a Colombian General of the Army, considered by some as military dictator of Colombia from 1953 to 1954. Although he led the coup d’état (June 13, 1953) to reestablish peace and political order in the nation, he was elected President of Colombia in 1954.
Rojas enacted legislation that gave women the equal right to vote. He introduced the television and constructed several hospitals, universities and the National Astronomic Observatory. He was also a strong supporter of public works and infrastructure, promoting and conducting projects such as the Atlantic railway, the hydroelectric dam of Lebrija and the oil refinery of Barrancabermeja.
On May 10, 1957, the people of Colombia, dissatisfied with the government of Rojas, launched a massive national protest demanding his resignation. Rojas was ousted and the events of this day were called a “coup d'état of public opinion”.
The presidential election of April 19, 1970, was difficult and controversial. Rojas and Misael Pastrana Borrero were both running for office. The results were very close, giving a slight margin in favor of Pastrana Borrero. The supporters of Rojas challenged the results and accused the government of President Carlos Lleras Restrepo of fraud. The case was brought before the Electoral Court, which ruled in favor of Pastrana Borrero on July 15, 1970, certifying him as President of Colombia.
Category:1900 births Category:1975 deaths Category:Colombian civil engineers Category:Colombian exiles Category:Colombian military personnel Category:Leaders ousted by a coup Category:Leaders who took power by coup Category:Presidents of Colombia Category:Trine University people Category:Rojas family Category:Grand Crosses Special Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany Category:National Popular Alliance politicians Category:Burials at Central Cemetery of Bogotá
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