died July 31, 1981, near Penonomé dictator-like leader of Panama
(196878), who negotiated the Panama Canal treaties with the
United States, leading to Panama's eventual assumption of
control of the canal. Educated at a military school in El
Salvador, Torrijos also studied military-related subjects in the
United States and Venezuela. In 1952 he was commissioned second
lieutenant in the National Guard of Panama (Guardia Nacional;
the country's only military force), becoming lieutenant colonel
(1966), colonel (1968), and brigadier general (1969). In October
1968 he participated in a coup by the National Guard that
overthrew President Arnulfo Arias, and he gradually emerged as
leader of the new military junta with the title Chief of
Government and Supreme Leader of the Panamanian Revolution. He
became one of the few Latin American leaders who visited Fidel
Castro in Cuba, but he also suppressed leftist labour agitators
and students in Panama. Under his rule, social services
expanded, and Panamanians of African de