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Revision as of 17:46, 8 March 2013
Elías Wessin y Wessin (July 22, 1924 – April 18, 2009) was a Dominican politician and Dominican Air Force general.[1] Wessin led the military coup which ousted the government of Dominican President Juan Bosch in 1963, replacing it with a triumvirate.[1] Wessin was also a key figure in the ensuing Dominican Civil War, which led to a United States military intervention and occupation the Dominican Republic in 1965.[1]
Early life
Wessin was born in Bayaguana, Monte Plata Province, Dominican Republic, on July 22, 1924.[1] His parents were immigrants from the coastal town of Dekwaneh in Lebanon. The family name in Lebanon as it is used today is spelled Wazen, a phonetic variant of the name in Lebanese Arabic[1]
Wessin's career in the Dominican Air Force began as a military pilot.[1]
Career
Wessin's first intervention in Dominican politics as an air force officer began in 1961, following the assassination of President Rafael Trujillo, a dictator.[1] Wessin, who commanded an infantry battalion at the time of Trujillo's assassination, helped Trujillo's wife and family to flee the country.[1]
Wessin was allowed to return from exile in 1978 after the government issued a general amnesty.[1] He reconciled with his former political rival, President Joaquín Balaguer, and actively campaigned for Balaguer during the 1986 presidential election.[1] Due to his support for Balaguer, Wessin served as the country's Interior Minister and, later, as Secretary of the Armed Forces during Balaguer's administrations.[1]
Wessin was featured on the cover of Time Magazine on May 7th 1965[2]
Death
Elías Wessin y Wessin died of a heart attack on April 18, 2009, in Santo Dominigo, Dominican Republic, at the age of 84. He was survived by his wife, Livia Chávez, and their two sons.[1]