José Domingo Molina Gómez (26 September 1896 – 5 April 1969) was an Argentine military officer who served as Commander in Chief of the Argentine Army and briefly led a military junta that took control of the government following the resignation of President Juan Perón during the Revolución Libertadora in September 1955.
Biography
Molina Gómez was born in San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca on 26 September 1896, the son of Daniel Molina Avellaneda and Melitona Gómez. He was a grandson of Nicolás Avellaneda, who served as President of Argentina from 1874 to 1880. He married Delina del Carmen Botana in Choya, Santiago del Estero.
He served as Director General of the National Gendarmerie of Argentina from 1945 to 1947. He was subsequently appointed Commander in Chief of the Argentine Army.
Role in the Revolución Libertadora
The Revolución Libertadora, a military and civic uprising against the government of Juan Perón, began on 16 September 1955. On 19 September 1955, Perón wrote what appeared to be a resignation letter. A military junta was formed, composed of Molina and other senior officers, with Molina assuming "the reins of Government." On 20 September, Perón requested asylum in Paraguay, leaving the government in the hands of the junta. Molina served as leader of the junta from 19 to 20 September, and then as President of the Junta from 20 to 23 September 1955. Eduardo Lonardi was recognized as the de facto President of Argentina on 23 September 1955.
On 3 October 1955, Molina was arrested by Lonardi's government and later released.
Death
He died in Buenos Aires on 5 April 1969 at the age of 72.
