Pedro Pablo RamÃÂrez Menchaca (30 January 1884 – 12 May 1962) was President of Argentina from 7 June 1943, to 9 March 1944. He was the founder and leader of Guardia Nacional, Argentina's fascist militia.
After graduating from the Argentine military college in 1904 as a second lieutenant, RamÃÂrez was promoted in 1910 as first lieutenant of the cavalry. In 1911, he was sent to Germany for training with the Fifth Hussars cavalry in Kaiser Wilhelm II's Prussian Army. He returned home in 1913, with a German wife, prior to the outbreak of World War I. Advancing in rank as a specialist in cavalry tactics, he assisted fellow General José Félix Uriburu in an authoritarian coup that deposed Hipólito Yrigoyen in 1930. RamÃÂrez was sent to Rome to observe Mussolini's army until his return in 1932.
When Uriburu set free elections and then died, General RamÃÂrez worked behind the scenes to plan a return of fascism to Argentina. Over the next several years, he organized the Milicia Nacionalista (later the Guardia), and authored a program for a state ruled by the militia. In 1942, RamÃÂrez was appointed War Minister by President Ramón Castillo, and began to reorganize the Argentine Army. At the same time, the Guardia Nacional joined with another party to form "Recuperacion Nacional," a fascist political party. Castillo fired RamÃÂrez following a cabinet meeting on 18 May 1943. Two weeks later, on 4 June 1943, RamÃÂrez assisted Arturo Rawson in overthrowing Castillo's government, and was again made Minister of War. Three days later, on 7 June RamÃÂrez forced Rawson's resignation and maintained Argentina's neutrality during World War II. Because of this, the United States refused Argentine requests for Lend-Lease aid. Argentina finally declared war on Germany and Japan during the government of Edelmiro Farrell.