The man who would come to occupy the eye of this political cyclone was Rafael Trujillo. Once the president had demonstrated his willingness to disregard constitutional procedures in the pursuit of power, some ambitious opponents decided that those procedures were no longer binding. Dominican politics returned to their pre-occupation status; the struggle among competing caudillos resumed.
Trujillo occupied a strong position in this contest. He had enlisted in the National Police in , a time when the upper-class Dominicans, who had formerly filled the officer corps, largely refused to collaborate with the occupying forces. Trujillo harbored no such scruples. He rose quickly in the officer corps, while at the same time he built a network of allies and supporters.
Unlike the more idealistic North American sponsors of the constabulary, Trujillo saw the armed force not for what it should have been--an apolitical domestic security force--but for what it was: the main source of concentrated power in the republic.
Having established his power base behind the scenes, Trujillo was ready by to assume control of the country. Having already struck a deal with Trujillo, Estrella marched on the capital; army forces remained in their barracks as Trujillo declared his "neutrality" in the situation. Estrella assumed the provisional presidency. Part of the arrangement between Estrella and Trujillo apparently involved the army commander's candidacy for president in the May elections.
As events unfolded, it became clear that Trujillo would be the only candidate that the army would permit to participate; army personnel harassed and intimidated electoral officials and eliminated potential opponents. A dazed nation stood by as the new dictator announced his election with 95 percent of the vote.
After his inauguration in August, and at his express request, the Congress issued an official proclamation announcing the commencement of "the Era of Trujillo. On November 24, , Jack Ruby , a year-old Dallas nightclub operator, stunned America when he shot and killed Lee Harvey Oswald , the accused assassin of President John Kennedy Two days earlier, on November 22, Kennedy was fatally shot Senate history. Known for his oratorical skill, he argued tirelessly for legislation addressing issues of civil The year remains one of the most tumultuous single years in history, marked by historic achievements, shocking assassinations, a much-hated war and a spirit of rebellion that swept through countries all over the world.
Occurring at the dawn of the television age, the The s started off as the dawn of a golden age to most Americans. On January 20, , the handsome and charismatic John F. Kennedy became president of the United States. The Great Society was an ambitious series of policy initiatives, legislation and programs spearheaded by President Lyndon B.
Johnson with the main goals of ending poverty, reducing crime, abolishing inequality and improving the environment. In May , President Lyndon B. Live TV. This Day In History. History Vault. Trujillo's Absolute Power In , a group of rebels under the leadership of Rafael Estrella Urena planned to overthrow Dominican President Horacio Vasquez for disregarding the constitution by extending his presidential term.
It was late evening when Trujillo was shot dead in a gun battle on the road that leads from the capital to San Cristobal, where the dictator kept a young mistress. In their vehicle, Gen Imbert and three other conspirators were waiting for Trujillo's chauffeur-driven Chevrolet to come past. Gen Imbert was driving. Other gunmen were stationed further up the road. The old man's memory is not what it was. But he does remember taking up the chase as Trujillo's car sped past and he recounts the first shots being fired.
He remembers Trujillo's driver slowing down and he has not forgotten the decision to pull across in front of Trujillo's car, blocking its path. Trujillo and his chauffeur were armed, and fought back. Gen Imbert recounts how he and one of the others got out of the car to get closer to their target. At the end of the gun battle, the dictator, commonly known simply as El Jefe, was left sprawled dead across the highway. They took his body to the house of a plotter, where it was eventually discovered by police.
Fifty years later I wonder if he is happy to have shot the Dominican dictator? The only way to get rid of him was to kill him. Gen Imbert is not alone in having drawn this conclusion. Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina presided for 31 years over what was probably the most absolute and ruthless dictatorship in Latin America at that time.
Coming to power in , he controlled the government of the Dominican Republic until he was assassinated. Rafael Trujillo was born on Oct. He received a rudimentary education and then held various jobs. His first step toward his future career was taken on Dec. Marines, who were occupying the Dominican Republic. Emerging from training, he rose rapidly in the new military organization. On June 22, , he became its commander in chief.
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