Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina

Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina (1891-1961), dictator who controlled the Dominican Republic for more than 30 years. Trujillo was born in San Cristóbal. As a cadet in the Dominican army from 1918 to 1921, he was trained by members of the U.S. Marine Corps (the Dominican Republic was then under U.S. military occupation). By 1927 Trujillo was a brigadier general and commander in chief of the Dominican Republic's army. In 1930 he was elected president without opposition.

The following year Trujillo organized the Partido Dominicano (Dominican Party), which controlled Dominican politics for the next three decades. During that time Trujillo was absolute dictator as generalissimo of the army; he was also president from 1930 to 1938 and from 1942 to 1952 and foreign minister from 1953 to 1961. The Trujillo regime brought economic stability to the country but allowed the people no political freedom whatsoever.

Trujillo encouraged diplomatic and economic ties with the U.S., but his policies often caused friction with other nations of Latin America. In 1960 his regime was censured by the Organization of American States, and economic sanctions were instituted. Trujillo was assassinated by military leaders on May 30, 1961.

His older son, Rafael Leónidas Trujillo, Jr., succeeded him and was head of the Dominican army for five months. Ramfis Trujillo, as he was known, then went into exile and became an international socialite. He died from injuries suffered in an automobile accident.