Velasco, Juan

Velasco (Alvarado), Juan

(born June 16, 1910, Piura, Peru—died Dec. 24, 1977, Lima) President of Peru (1968–75). Commander in chief of the army, he came to power by overthrowing Pres. Fernando Belaúnde Terry. His government was unusual among military regimes for its reformist and populist character. He nationalized transportation, communications, and electric power and converted millions of acres of private farms into workers' cooperatives. He defied the U.S. in nationalizing U.S.-owned oil fields and capturing and fining U.S. boats fishing within Peru's 200-mi (322-km) coastal limit. He was deposed in 1975 because of discontent with his restrictions on political participation.