Alfonso López Michelsen

Alfonso López Michelsen (30 June 1913 – 11 July 2007) was the 24th President of Colombia from 1974 to 1978. López was the son of former two time president of Colombia, Alfonso López Pumarejo. He was born and raised in Bogotá.

Presidency
In 1974, López was selected by the Liberal Party in as their candidate for president after defeating former president Carlos Lleras Restrepo in the party presidential primaries. He won the general election by a large margin against the Conservative Party candidate Álvaro Gómez Hurtado and the ANAPO candidate, María Eugenia Rojas.

In his inaugural speech on August 7, 1974, López was mostly remembered for calling the border disputed area in the Gulf of Venezuela by its native name "Gulf of Coquibacoa" given by the wayuus. On September 14, 1977 in Bogotá a bloody riot started in all sections of the city, the riot was called The National Civic Strike. The two days riot left a death toll of 80 people, and 2000 people injured.

Post-presidency
Upon the end of his term in 1978, he again became the leader of Liberal Party. He ran for president again in 1982, but was defeated by the Conservative Party candidate, Belisario Betancur.

Death
Lopez Michelsen died in Bogotá on July 11, 2007 after suffering a heart attack.

References

Other websites
  MOIR: the six lies of President Lopez 
  EL TIEMPO: Alfonso López Michelsen 1913-2007 

Category:1913 births
Category:2007 deaths
Category:Tolima Department
Category:Presidents of Colombia
Category:Politicians from Bogotá
Category:Colombian lawyers
Category:Writers from Bogotá