[68], Even after the death of Trujillo, the unusual events continued. Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina was the third of 11 children, born to working-class parents in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, on October 24, 1891. Trujillo unsuccessfully tried to assassinate him in a 1944 plot and then published their correspondence to discredit him. The leaders of the invasion were taken aboard a Dominican Air Force plane and then pushed out in midair; they fell to their deaths. While his supporters credit him for bringing stability and prosperity to the country, others criticize his heavy-handed rule and disregard for civil rights and freedoms. [73], Ruler of the Dominican Republic from 1930 to 1961, This article is about the former dictator of the Dominican Republic. Outraged OAS members voted unanimously to sever diplomatic relations with his government and impose economic sanctions on the Dominican Republic. Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina (San Cristóbal, 24 d'ochobre de 1891-Santu Domingu, 30 de mayu de 1961) foi un militar y políticu dominicanu, que gobernó como dictador de la República Dominicana dende 1930 hasta'l so asesinatu en 1961. Chicago’s Richard Daley (1902-1976) was among the most famous big-city mayors of 20th century America. In October 1937, in an incident known as the Parsley Massacre, Trujillo ordered the slaughter of an estimated 20,000 Haitians. [46] Many who sought his favors procured women for him, and later, he had an official on his palace staff to organize the sessions. Meanwhile, underground resistance movements had arisen in opposition to the dictator since the 1940s, but they were often swiftly suppressed, as in the case of the three revolutionary Mirabal sisters who were brutally beaten and killed by Trujillo’s henchmen in a staged car accident in 1960. Trujillo's "central arch" was his instinct for power. For his associates, his actions towards them were unpredictable. The province of San Cristóbal was renamed to "Trujillo" and the nation's highest peak, Pico Duarte, to Pico Trujillo. After a walk, he continued to work until 7:30 pm. Trujillo kept his positions as generalissimo of the army and leader of the Dominican Party. [67], According to Chester Bowles, the Undersecretary of State, internal Department of State discussions in 1961 on the topic were vigorous. [Note 4] In the countries of the Caribbean Basin alone, his dictatorship was concurrent, in whole or in part, with those in Cuba, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Venezuela, and Haiti. [citation needed], In 1934, Trujillo, who had promoted himself to generalissimo of the army, was up for re-election. [10] His father was José Trujillo Valdez, the son of Silveria Valdez Méndez of colonial Dominican origin and José Trujillo Monagas, a Spanish sergeant who arrived in Santo Domingo as a member of the Spanish reinforcement troops during the annexation era. [citation needed], Trujillo's three children with María Martínez were Rafael Leónidas Ramfis, who was born on 5 June 1929, María de los Ángeles del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús (Angelita), born in Paris on 10 June 1939, and Leónidas Rhadamés, born on 1 December 1942. Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina (ur.24 października 1891 w San Cristóbal, zm. [67] He used the contacts with Bosch, Volman, and Figueres for a new purpose, as the United States moved to rally the Western Hemisphere against Cuba's Fidel Castro, Trujillo had become expendable. Today the building is a museum; on display are his desk and chair, along with a massive collection of arms and armor that he bought. [19] In a note to the State Department, American ambassador Charles Boyd Curtis wrote that Trujillo received far more votes than actual voters. Brief appearance during a baseball game in Santo Domingo. [43], Castro made threats to overthrow Trujillo, who responded by increasing the budget for national defense. He acquired cattle lands on a grand scale, and went into meat and milk production, operations that soon evolved into monopolies. By 19 November 1961, Trujillo's relatives and cronies, like Joaquín Balaguer, who fled to New York City, were forced to leave the country, but not before killing the surviving members of the assassination plot. On 30 March 1927, Trujillo married Bienvenida Ricardo Martínez, a girl from Monte Cristi and the daughter of Buenaventura Ricardo Heureaux. U.S. Department of State. They appeared alone on the ballot in the 1938 election. He was also known as "El Chivo" ("The Goat"). After his assassination in 1961, logging resumed in the Dominican Republic. [1] Ejerció la presidencia como generalísimo del ejército de 1930 a 1938 y de 1942 a 1952 y gobernó de forma indirecta de 1938 a 1942 y de 1952 a 1961, valiéndose de presidentes títeres. Towards the end of his rule, his relationship with the United States deteriorated. The Betancourt incident inflamed world opinion against Trujillo. Rafael Trujillo. Oct. 2, 1937: Parsley Massacre. The cable directed the CIA people in the Dominican Republic to get this request at any cost. Rafael Trujillo was born Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina to a middle-class family on October 24, 1891 in San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic. [30], Trujillo was known for his open-door policy, accepting Jewish refugees from Europe, Japanese migration during the 1930s, and exiles from Spain following its civil war. [citation needed], In spite of Trujillo's indifference to the game of baseball, the dictator invited many black American players to the Dominican Republic, where they received good pay for playing on first-class, un-segregated teams. [15] Ramfis and Rhadamés were named after characters in Giuseppe Verdi's opera Aida. In 1934 he banned the slash-and-burn method of clearing land for agriculture, set up a forest warden agency to protect the park system, and banned the logging of pine trees without his permission. Post. Known as La Masacre del Perejil in Spanish, the massacre was started by Trujillo in 1937. Fue un militar y político dominicano. General Trujillo, with whom Urena had previously made an arrangement, held his troops back as the revolution unfolded, maintaining his neutrality. Trujillo ordered his son, Ramfis, to lead the hunt for the invaders, and soon they were captured. [2] He served as president from 1930 to 1938 and again from 1942 to 1952, ruling for the rest of the time as an unelected military strongman under figurehead presidents. In 1930, 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. Otherwise known as El Jefe (the boss), El Benefactor, El Chivo (the goat) and La Chapita (bottle cap), Trujillo was known for his deep egocentrism. [Note 6] The Dominican military used machetes to murder and decapitate many of the victims; they also took people to the port of Montecristi, where many victims were thrown into the ocean to drown with their hands and feet bound. Trujillo's mother was Altagracia Julia Molina Chevalier, later known as Mama Julia, the daughter of Pedro Molina Peña, also of colonial Dominican origin, and the teacher Luisa Erciná Chevalier, whose parents were part of the remaining French descendants in Haiti: Trujillo's maternal great-grandfather, Justin Víctor Turenne Carrié Blaise, was of French descent, while his maternal great-grandmother, Eleonore Juliette Chevallier Moreau, was part of Haiti's mulatto class. With Vasquez in exile and control of the government up for grabs, Trujillo eliminated his political rivals through intimidation or force and won a rigged presidential election in 1930 unchallenged, ushering in the “Era of Trujillo.”. (Radhamés Leonidas Trujillo Martínez) 1 December 43: is born to Rafael Leonidas Trujillo y Molina and his third wife Maria Martinez Alba. Trujillo encouraged diplomatic and economic ties with the United States, but his policies often caused friction with other nations of Latin America, especially Costa Rica and Venezuela. Trujillo, convinced that Batista would prevail, was very surprised when Batista showed up as a fugitive after he had been ousted. In 1934, Dr. Georges Marion was called from Paris to perform three urologic procedures on Trujillo. [49] Fond of neckties, he amassed a collection of over ten thousand. He earned election to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1936, and served as Democratic minority leader in the state senate from 1941 through 1946. [citation needed], Brutal oppression of actual or perceived members of the opposition was the key feature of Trujillo's rule from the very beginning in 1930 when his gang, "The 42", led by Miguel Angel Paulino, drove through the streets in their red Packard "carro de la muerte" ("car of death"). On 24 June 1960, while Betancourt was driving through the streets of Caracas, Venezuela, during the annual Army Day parade, a powerful bomb exploded in his motorcade. [27] Trujillo also maintained an execution list of people throughout the world who he felt were his direct enemies or who he felt had wronged him. He expressed great contempt for Venezuelan President Rómulo Betancourt. Two days earlier, on November 22, Kennedy was fatally shot ...read more, Hubert Humphrey was one of the nation’s most prominent liberal politicians in the mid-20th century, and his long career made him one of the leading figures in U.S. Senate history. Before a definitive border had been established in 1936, disputes between the Dominican Republic and the neighboring country of Haiti had persisted for centuries. Post a new Comment. [Internet]. The response by the SIM was swift and brutal. A year later, Trujillo was killed by a group of rebels determined to topple his regime. However, in 1942, with US President Franklin Roosevelt having run for a third term in the United States, Trujillo ran for president again and was elected unopposed. His siblings were Virgilio Trujillo (24 July 1887 – 29 July 1967), Flérida Marina Trujillo (10 August 1888 – 13 February 1976), Rosa María Julieta Trujillo (5 April 1893 – 23 October 1980), José Arismendy "Petán" Trujillo (4 October 1895 – 6 May 1969), Amable Romero "Pipi" Trujillo (14 August 1896 – 19 September 1970), Luisa Nieves Trujillo (4 August 1899 – 25 January 1977), Julio Aníbal "Bonsito" Trujillo (16 October 1900 – 2 December 1948), Pedro Vetilio "Pedrito" Trujillo (27 January 1902 – 14 March 1981), Ofelia Japonesa Trujillo (26 May 1905 – 4 February 1978) and Héctor Bienvenido "Negro" Trujillo (6 April 1908 – 19 October 2002). In 1952, under pressure from the Organization of American States, he ceded the presidency to his brother, Héctor. The car was sent flying across the street. Dictador del país como generalísimo del Ejército, gobernó primero desde 1930 hasta 1934 y de facto, hasta ser asesinado en 1961. The commission concluded that only forested waterways could support hydroelectric dams, so Trujillo banned logging in potential river watersheds. He attended Harvard Law School but left before ...read more, The year 1968 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. Mai 1961 in Santo Domingo) war ein dominikanischer Politiker und Diktator der Dominikanischen Republik Leben Herkunft und Werdegang. A foreign legion formed to defend Haiti, as many expected that Castro might invade the Haitian part of the island first and remove François Duvalier as well. While successful in reducing foreign debt, modernizing his country and fostering greater economic prosperity for the Dominican people, Trujillo and his heinous human rights abuses—including the torture and murder of thousands of civilians—managed to escape rebuke from the international community for decades. He was methodical, punctual, secretive, and guarded; he had no true friends, only associates and acquaintances. Government employees were required by law to "donate" 10 percent of their salaries to the national treasury,[22][23] and there was strong pressure on adult citizens to join the party. Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina fue un dictador dominicano que gobernó la República Dominicana desde 1930 hasta su asesinato en 1961. With the approval and support of Cuba's government, led by Ramón Grau, an expeditionary force was trained with the intention of invading the Dominican Republic and overthrowing Trujillo. Connu sous le nom de «Petit César des Caraïbes», on se souvient de lui comme l'un des dictateurs … [23], Trujillo encouraged foreign investment in the Dominican Republic, particularly from Americans. [65] Kaplan's attorney claimed that Kaplan was a CIA agent. Instead, the group was spotted by Dominican soldiers who blasted the yacht to pieces. [65] Under the cover of the American Sucrose Company and the Paint Company of America, Vidal had teamed up with an American, Joel David Kaplan, to operate as arms merchants for the CIA.[65]. Mixes by Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina (rafaeltrujillomolina). In November 1961, Mexican police found a corpse they identified as Luis Melchior Vidal, Jr., godson of Trujillo. NPR. During his oppressive dictatorship Trujillo was credited with improving sanitation, constructing new roads, schools and hospitals, and increasing the general standard of living for the Dominican people. Early on, Trujillo determined that Dominican financial affairs had to be put in order, and that included ending the United States's role as collector of Dominican customs—a situation that had existed since 1907 and was confirmed in a 1924 convention signed at the end of the occupation. It was understood that Peynado was merely a puppet, and Trujillo still held all governing power in the nation. The government favored white refugees over others while Dominican troops expelled illegal aliens, resulting in the 1937 Parsley Massacre of Haitian immigrants. [31] In 1940 an agreement was signed and Trujillo donated 26,000 acres (110 km2) of his properties for settlements. The History Channel website. Dominican President Joaquín Balaguer gave the eulogy. [7] On 30 May 1961, Trujillo was assassinated by conspirators sponsored by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). In return for Trujillo letting Estrella take power, Estrella would allow Trujillo to run for president in new elections. In 1935, Ramfis, then aged 6, was promoted to general. The occupying force soon established a Dominican army constabulary to impose order. Oktober 1891 in San Cristóbal; † 30. Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina fue un dictador dominicano que gobernó la República Dominicana desde 1930 hasta su asesinato en 1961. At the same time, Trujillo plotted against the Haitian government by linking up with General Calixte, Commander of the Garde d'Haiti, and Élie Lescot, at that time the Haitian ambassador in Ciudad Trujillo (Santo Domingo). By 1936, they reached and signed a settlement. Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina (24 octobre 1891-30 mai 1961) était un général militaire qui a pris le pouvoir en République dominicaine et a dirigé l'île de 1930 à 1961. In the 1950s the Trujillo regime commissioned a study on the hydroelectric potential of damming the Dominican Republic's waterways. At age 3 she moved into the White House with her parents and younger brother John Kennedy Jr. (1960-1999). The social, political and economic circumstances from 1916 to 1937, which made possible the rise of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo's dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. As soon as the invaders landed, they were met by soldiers of the Dominican Army, and 30 to 40 men escaped. Members had to carry a membership card, nicknamed the "palmita" since the cover had a palm tree on it, and a person could be arrested for vagrancy without one. His sexual appetite was rapacious, and he preferred mulatto women with full bodies, later tending to rape "very young" women. Oktober 1891 in San Cristóbal; † 30. But his practice of securing kickbacks on all public works contracts and monopolizing a vast array of lucrative industries ensured that the increase in economic prosperity was disproportionately distributed to his family, supporters and military personnel. For the Spanish sailor, see, Crassweller mentions those estimates and adds that, "A figure of 15,000 to 20,000 would be reasonable, but this is guesswork.". As time went on, the order of the phrases was reversed (Trujillo on Earth, God in Heaven). Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina was born on October 24, 1891, the third of 11 children, in San Cristóbal, a poor agricultural village on the Dominican Republic's south coast. Up at four in the morning, he exercised, studied the newspaper, read many reports, and completed papers before breakfast. Jésus de Galindez points out in the introduction of his book. Rafael Leónidas Trujillo y Molina (San Cristóbal, República Dominicana, 1891 - Santo Domingo, 1961) Dictador dominicano. Rafael Trujillo's rule is considered one of the most brutal periods in the history of the Dominican Republic. Ultimately, the Trujillo-Estrella ticket was proclaimed victorious with an implausible 99 percent of the vote. Gold and silver commemorative coins were minted with his image. However, international pressure, including from the United States, made the exiles abort the expedition. Ejerció la presidencia de la República Dominicana entre 1930 y 1938, y entre 1942 y 1952. News of the failed assassination attempt infuriated world leaders and prompted the Organization of American States (OAS) to dissolve diplomatic ties and impose economic sanctions on the Dominican Republic. Haiti had historically occupied what is now the Dominican Republic from 1822 to 1844. Peynado increased the size of the electric "Dios y Trujillo" sign and died on 7 March 1940, with Troncoso serving out the rest of the term. [2] [3] ...read more. [9] Trujillo remains a polarizing figure in the Dominican Republic, the sheer longevity of his rule makes a detached evaluation difficult. [65] Neither the FBI nor the US Department of Justice has pursued the issue.