Oscar Benavides

president of Peru

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June 17, 2026

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General Oscar Benavides served as president of Peru from 1933 to 1939. He succeeded Luis Sánchez Cerro after Cerro's assassination. Benavides's presidency focused on economic recovery and resolving international disputes. He settled a significant boundary controversy with Colombia over the Leticia port and surrounding territory, returning it to Colombia to prevent war. To manage internal political unrest, Benavides outlawed the APRA party and implemented social assistance programs. His successor, Manuel Prado, was supported by APRA in the 1939 election.12

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Peru
Troubled democracy
Oscar Benavides, who restored confidence in the economy. He also settled a dangerous boundary controversy with Colombia over the port of Leticia on the upper Amazon and a finger of land giving access to the river, both of which had been ceded to Colombia in…
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Oscar Benavides, who restored confidence in the economy. He also settled a dangerous boundary controversy with Colombia over the port of Leticia on the upper Amazon and a finger of land giving access to the river, both of which had been ceded to Colombia in…
Read More