Schick Gutiérrez, René (1909–1966)

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Schick Gutiérrez, René (1909–1966)

René Schick Gutiérrez (b. 1909; d. 1966), president of Nicaragua from 1963 to 1966. A close associate of the Somoza family, Schick served as Anastasio Somoza García's personal secretary and was named minister of education and of foreign relations during the presidency of Luis Somoza Debayle. Long portrayed as a quiet "yes-man" and Somoza puppet, Schick proved to be more independent. His term in office was relatively peaceful and he followed Luis Somoza's lead in liberalizing Nicaragua. The Nicaraguan state and economy boomed as government expenditure and entrepreneurial activity increased. Schick, who died in office, was succeeded by Vice President Lorenzo Guerrero Gutiérrez.

See alsoNicaragua; Somoza Debayle, Anastasio.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Eduardo Crawley, Dictators Never Die (1979).

Claribel Alegría and D. J. Flakoll, Nicaragua: La revolución Sandinista, una crónica política, 1855–1979 (1982).

Thomas Walker, Nicaragua: The Land of Sandino (1986).

Additional Bibliography

Gambone, Michael D. Capturing the Revolution: The United States, Central America, and Nicaragua, 1961–1972. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2001.

                              Heather K. Thiessen

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Schick Gutiérrez, René (1909–1966)

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