ZENÓN NORIEGA AGÜERO: BIOGRAPHY AND GOVERNMENT - HISTORY - 2025

Zenón Noriega Agüero (1900-1957) was a Peruvian military man who came to reach the presidency of the country for a short time. Born in Jesús, Cajamarca, in 1900, from a very young age he joined the army, entering the Military School in 1917.

Noriega was steadily rising through the ranks and, in 1943, he obtained the rank of colonel. Somewhat later, in 1948, he became commander of the II Light Division. At the head of this division he was in charge of repressing the Callao Mutiny.

Source: Dutch National Archives, The Hague, Fotocollectie Algemeen Nederlands Persbureau (ANeFo)

When there was a coup led by General Manuel A. Odría, Noriega decided to turn his back on the legal government of the country and gave support to the rebels.

When the coup leader arrived in the capital, he led the Junta and Noriega assumed the position of Minister of War and First Vice President. Two years later, Odría decided to call elections and stand as a candidate, for which he had to resign the presidency. Noriega was the one who replaced him, serving as President for just two months.

Biography

Zenón Noriega Agüero was born on July 12, 1900 in the town of Jesús, Cajamarca. His parents were Wenceslao Noriega and Maria del Carmen Agüero and the future Peruvian president carried out his first studies in his hometown.

At the end of the first educational stages, he entered the Chorrillos Military School in 1917. Five years later, he obtained his title as Second Lieutenant of Artillery.

Military career

Noriega was soon able to rise to the rank of Captain, by distinguished action. Between 1928 and 1931, he completed his military studies at the Superior War College. Thanks to his good work, he received the title of officer of the General Staff.

The following year, he was promoted to sergeant major and, in 1936, to lieutenant colonel. The latter earned him to start developing work as assistant to the Ministry of War, as well as head of the No. 2 Artillery Corps. Finally, he also served as deputy director of the Artillery Application School

His next promotion, to colonel, had to wait until 1943. On that date, he was appointed head of a section of the Army General Staff.

When, in the face of the serious political crisis in the country caused by the confrontation between President Bustamante and members of the APRA party, a military cabinet was installed, Noriega was assigned to the command of the II Light Division.

Mutiny of Callao

The Callao mutiny, October 3, 1948, was promoted by the Aprista leaders, then confronted with the Bustamante government. It was led by naval officers and the sailors located in that city. The person in charge of ending the rebellion was Zenón Noriega, at the head of his Division.

The first consequence of this uprising was the outlawing of APRA. A few days later, the coup d'etat took place that would end the Bustamante government.

Coup

The coup began on October 27, 1948. On that day, General Odría, who was in command of the Arequipa garrison, rebelled against the government of Bustamante y Rivero. The name given by the rebels to this uprising was "Restorative Revolution."

At that time, Noriega was in Lima. From the capital he stood by for a day, waiting for events to unfold.

Finally, he decided to withdraw his support for Bustamante and add his troops to the rebellion. This, according to historians, was the decisive element for the success of the coup.

On the 29th, Noriega took charge of a Government Military Junta, awaiting the arrival of Odría. Once the head of the uprising was in Lima, Noriega gave him the presidency and held the posts of Minister of War and Vice President of the Republic.

Two years later, Odría decided that it was time to call an election that would give a certain image of legitimacy to his government. According to the law, to be a candidate, he had to first resign the presidency.

Presidency

Odría, therefore, devoted himself completely to his electoral candidacy. His replacement in the presidency, pending the elections, was Zenón Noriega.

For almost two months, from June 1 to June 28, Noriega became the highest authority in the state. The truth, according to all historians, is that, in reality, the one who continued to run the country was Odría.

Conspiracy charge

In the elections, dismissed by historians as fraudulent, there was a clear victory for General Odría, who was elected president of the country. He held the position until 1956, beginning a period in which the repression against opponents was common.

Noriega, after the voting, was appointed Minister of War, as well as President of the Council of Ministers, two of the most important positions in the government. Likewise, he was promoted to Major General.

However, in 1954 the situation changed completely. Odría accused him of organizing a conspiracy to remove him. Because of this accusation, Noriega was dismissed and had to go into exile, in August of that same year, aboard a navy ship.

According to what was said at the time, the conspiracy involved other important figures. Many historians affirm that it was a symptom of the decomposition that affected the Odría regime.

Exile and death

Noriega's chosen destination for his exile was Argentina. There he was received by the President, Juan Domingo Perón. He remained in that country for two years, later returning to Peru.

Retired from public life, he spent his last years in Lima. It was in the capital where he died on May 7, 1957, at the age of 57.

Works in your government

As previously noted, Zenón Noriega did not have real power as president. Actually, it was Odria who was still running matters, waiting for the elections to take place.

For this reason, there were no notable works that can be attributed to Noriega. Yes, on the other hand, some that occurred during his tenure in the Odría government can be noted.

Repression

Although, certainly, this fact cannot be attributed to Noriega alone, it should not be forgotten that he held very important positions in the government. The years in which Odría was in power were characterized, in part, by the violence unleashed against Apristas and leftists.

The most prominent person in this repressive policy was Alejandro Esparza Zañartu, Minister of Government. After the death of several students in Arequipa in 1950, he was dismissed.

Public Works

The good progress of raw material exports to Europe allowed the government to develop a series of public works that have remained as its main achievement.

Among the most important built infrastructures were schools, hospitals and the current National State. Manuel Odría's government was favored by the increase in exports of raw materials

Female vote

On the social front, the most important legacy of the Odría y Noriega government was the granting of the right to vote to women. This legislative change was approved on September 7, 1955.

References

1. EcuRed. Zenón Noriega Agüero. Obtained from ecured.cu
2. Search Biographies. Zenón Noriega Agüero. Obtained from Buscabiografias.com
3. Paredes Romero, Jorge. Electoral conduct. Obtained from peruesmas.com
4. Revolvy. Zenón Noriega Agüero. Retrieved from revolvy.com
5. Alchetron. Zenón Noriega Agüero. Retrieved from alchetron.com
6. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. Manuel A. Odría. Retrieved from britannica.com