Juan Despalas

Juan Esteban Despalas de la Cruz (September 27, 1948 - January 6, 2021) was a post-nationalist Dalanic politician, who served as president of Dania from 1 June 1997 to 23 March 2004. He was forced to step down as President due to bypassing parliament in the Dalanic invasion of Sagofagia.
Despalas has become the face of the post-nationalist wave in Dania during the 1990s and early 2000s. He was a staunch Sagophobe and started supported the Sonalali rebels in the Sonalali War in 1997. On 14 March 2004, Despalas ordered the invasion of Sagofagia to force the independence of Sonalalia without approval of the Parliament. Although, the invasion was a success, Despalas was forced to step down. 
His resignation remains controversial with many nationalist in Dania praising the actions of Despalas.
== Early life ==
Juan Esteban Despalas de la Cruz was born in Santa Cruz to Eduardo Despalas Toro and María de la Cruz Amores. He received all his schooling at the Bosquez Institute in San Pedro. He then attended the University of Likavra, where he graduated as a civil engineer. After graduation, he followed advanced courses in management in Italy.
== Early career ==
Upon graduation, Despalas started his career as a civil engineer at Santosdelos, the largest engineering company in Dania. He quickly rose through the ranks and was promoted to various management positions in the company. In 1980, he was admitted to the management of Santosdelos, where he played a crucial role in the company's growth and success.
== Political career ==
=== Pre-presidency ===
In 1983, Despalas was elected to the Dalanic Senate for Centralitan for the Conservative Party. He was re-elected in 1988. He was a popular senator and focused on transportation and infrastructure. Despalas became one of the main politicians in the post-nationalist movement and was co-founder of the National Party.
=== Leadership of the National Party ===
Despalas entered the House of Representives after the 1995 election. In 1996, Despalas was elected Party Leader of the National Party. 
== Presidency ==
Despalas and his National Party won the 1997 general election. He made a coalition with the Conservative Party. In 2001, Despalas won re-election, but lost 6 seats. Despalas also had to add the Christian People's Party to the government to have a majority.
=== Sonalali War ===
A few months after Despalas took office the Sonalali War broke out in northern Sagofagia. Despalas decided to stay neutral due to divisions in his party over the matter. In 1998, Despalas started to supply the rebels. Despalas stated he help the rebels due to the war crimes carried out by Sagofagia in the war. The influence of Dania in the war became greater as time went on.
On 14 March 2004, Despalas excluded the Dalanic parliament from interfering on the invasion of Sagofagia and demanded the army to cross the border with Sagofagia. The following campaign against the Sagofagi Army led to worldwide upset. The UN put sanctions on Dania and the ICN temporarily ended military coorporation. The invasion led to the surrender of Sagofagia and the independence of Sonalalia.
=== Resignation ===
Despite the victory in the Sonalali War, Despalas was forced to step down as President due to bypassing parliament. Despalas was replaced by his First Minister Umberto Hurtado.
== Controversies ==
During the Sonalali War, Despalas began supplying the rebels. A newspaper in Dania revealed in November 2001 that Despalas had secretly supplied the terroristic organization SAF. Despalas denied the allegations.
== Death ==
Juan Despalas died on 6 January 2021, at age 72.
Category:1948 births
Category:2021 deaths
Category:Presidents of Dania
Category:20th-century Dalanic politicians
Category:21st-century Dalanic politicians
Category:Sonalali War