| 1957 Colombian coup d'état | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Military Forces of Colombia | Dissenting faction of the armed forces | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Gustavo Rojas Pinilla | Gabriel ParísDeogracias FonsecaRuben PiedrahitaRafael Navas PardoLuis Ordonez | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 100 dead | |||||||
The1957 Colombian coup d'état was the nonviolent overthrow inColombia of theGustavo Rojas Pinilla dictatorship by the military, resulting in the establishment of a five-man junta that restored civilian rule a year later in 1958. The coup attempt followed a period of civil unrest as Rojas, coming to power in 1953 promising to end theLa Violencia and initially hailed as Colombia's savior,[1][2] caused political discontent with his authoritarian policies, including silencing of the free press, detainment of opposition groups, and suspension of the country's constitution.[3][4]
In the lead-up to the coup, the leader of the oppositionGuillermo Leon Valencia was placed under house arrest on May 1, causing widespread civil disobedience.[4] Dubbed the "Jornadas de Mayo," the 10-day period was marked by nationwide student protests and the impromptu shutdown of universities, newspapers, shops, factories, businesses, and banks.[1] The ensuing student demonstrations resulted in one hundred dead, with tear gas and jets of red-colored-water being used on the demonstrators.[1] In response, an Archbishop inCali threatened to excommunicate those responsible for the killings.[4]
Recognizing the growing unrest, several military leaders held a meeting and agreed on the need to depose Rojas.[4] In the early hours of the morning on May 10, Rojas was pressured to step down, a junta taking his place soon after.[4] He then departed with his family for Spain.[1]
The five-man military junta, composed of those who had previously served under the Rojas regime, -Gabriel París,Deogracias Fonseca,Ruben Piedrahita,Rafael Navas Pardo, andLuis Ordonez - announced their intentions for the restoration of civilian rule by August 7, 1958, through elections and other measures.[1] During this period of military rule, a largely civilian and bi-partisan cabinet was appointed with the approval of the major parties.[1] The "Parity Commission on Institutional Readjustment" was also formed to study constitutional reform along with a two-man bi-partisan "National Commission on Criminal Investigation" to investigate corruption and malpractice.[1]