rafael leónidas trujillo molina ( , ; 24 october 1891 – 30 may 1961), nicknamed "el jefe" (, "the chief" or "the boss"), was a dominican politician, soldier, and dictator. he ruled the dominican republic from february 1930 until his assassination in may 1961. he was president from 1930 to 1938 and again from 1942 to 1952.