ODRIA, MANUEL A

born Nov. 26, 1897, Tarma, Peru died Feb. 18, 1974, Lima in full Manuel Apolinario Odra Amoretti president of Peru from 1948 to 1956. A career army officer, Odra graduated from military school in 1919 and from the War College in 1930. Promoted to brigadier general in 1946, he was named army chief of staff and, in 1947, minister of the interior and chief of police under President Jos Bustamente. In October 1948 he headed a military junta which deposed Bustamente and was proclaimed provisional president. Odra promptly dissolved the legislature, declared military rule, and proceeded to take measures to restore the Peruvian economy and political stability, seeking technical assistance and private investment from the United States. He resigned temporarily on June 1, 1950, to run unopposed for election and was inaugurated July 28. His administration was characterized by repressive political tactics to silence the opposition. The economy initially expanded under his laissez-faire economic policies, but by the end of his term Odra found himself unable to cope with a mounting trade deficit and rapid inflation. Labour unrest and public protests against the regime's authoritarianism forced Odra to allow a free election in 1956. Odra, who did not run for reelection, went into self-imposed exile, spending much of his time in the United States. In 1962 and 1963 he ran again for president, placing third in the balloting.