Presidents and heads of state of Honduras
| 1821–1839 |
|  |
|---|---|---|
| 1839–1982 |
| |
| Democratic era (since 1982) | ||
Authority control databases
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
Juan Alberto Melgar | |
|---|---|
| President of Honduras | |
| In office 22 April 1975 – 7 August 1978 | |
| Preceded by | Oswaldo López Arellano |
| Succeeded by | Policarpo Paz García |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Juan Alberto Melgar Castro 20 June 1930 Marcala, Honduras |
| Died | 2 December 1987 (aged 57) San Pedro Sula, Honduras |
| Political party | Military |
| Spouse | Nora Gúnera de Melgar |
| Profession | Military, Politician |
Juan Alberto Melgar Castro (20 June 1930 – 2 December 1987) was an army officer in the Honduran military who served as the head of state of Honduras from 22 April 1975 to 7 August 1978, when he was removed from power by others in the military.[1]
General Melgar Castro took power in the 1975 Honduran coup d'état which removed Oswaldo López Arellano after his bribery scandal with United Fruit Company.
During his rule, the process of land reform was slowed down, because of pressure from land-owning sectors and influential politicians.
His wife Nora Gúnera de Melgar was Mayor of Tegucigalpa. She was the nominee of the National Party (Partido Nacional) for President of Honduras in 1997, but lost to the Liberal Party nominee, Carlos Roberto Flores.
General Melgar Castro died of a heart attack near San Pedro Sula on 2 December 1987 .[1]
