Sanguinetti, Julio María

   President of Uruguay (1985–1990), the first civilian president following the end of the military dictatorship (1973–1985). Representing the Colorado political party, Sanguinetti took office on 1 March 1985 and managed the country’s return to democracy, restoring civil and human rights. Within a month of taking office, he freed all political prisoners. His presidency was weakened, however, by sponsoring an amnesty for military and police officials accused of human-rights violations. About 160 officers were affected by the amnesty, which, despite much popular support for bringing officers to trial, was upheld in a referendum in 1989. Sanguinetti was voted out of office in November of that year, when the Blancos political party, led by Luis Alberto Lacalle, returned to power for the first time in 23 years.