Carlos Humberto Romero

General Carlos Humberto Romero Mena (February 29, 1924 – February 27, 2017) was a Salvadoran politician who served as President of El Salvador between July 1, 1977, and his overthrow on October 15, 1979.

Early life
Romero was born in Chalatenango, El Salvador, on February 29, 1924.

Presidency
Romero held power until October 1979, when he was deposed with a reformist coup d'état by dissident, politically leftist and moderate military officers and civilians. The coup d'état that deposed Romero was preamble to El Salvador's twelve-year civil war. Romero was a member of the National Conciliation Party, and also served as Defense Minister from 1972 to 1973.

Romero's time in office was largely characterized by escalating violence and instability. In the late 1970s, political unrest increased, because of El Salvador's severe socio-economic inequalities unaddressed by his government and widespread discontent with government policy culminated in widespread protest and rebellion, which was met with reprisal by government forces. President Romero increased government education spending, but this won him no popularity with the left.

After being deposed, Romero lived in exile in Guatemala before returning to El Salvador. He died on 27 February 2017 at the age of 92 of natural causes.