The coup overthrew the de facto president Jesús Jiménez Zamora and was originally set by former president José María Montealegre Fernández, who aspired the return to power by force. A group of soldiers led by the Guardia clandestinely entered the Army Headquarters, then see of the army and took control of it. However, Guardia did not hand over power to Montealegre but to Bruno Carranza who soon afterwards resigns and the Guardia-dominated Congress appoints Guardia directly. Guardia was very popular among the military, especially for his heroic performance in the Filibuster War.