Ibáñez del Campo, Carlos

Ibáñez del Campo, Carlos (kär`lōs ēbä`nyās thĕl käm`pō), 1877–1960, president of Chile (1927–31, 1952–58). An army general who served as minister of war (1925–27) and vice president (1927), he became president upon the forced resignation of President Emiliano Figueroa. He ruled dictatorially, suppressing all opposition. He launched many public works projects and instituted educational and labor reform, remaining popular until the worldwide depression hit Chile. Widespread demonstrations in 1931 forced him into exile in Argentina. After several attempts to regain power, he was elected (1949) to the senate. He won the presidency (1952) by a plurality after promising to curb inflation and to reform the bureaucracy. His administration was hampered, however, by opposition in congress and by his own old age.