José Miguel Gómez

José Miguel Gómez
President of Cuba
In office 28 January 1909 – 20 May 1913
Vice President	Alfredo Zayas
Preceded by	Tomás Estrada Palma
Succeeded by	Mario García Menocal
Personal details
Born	July 6, 1858 Sancti Spíritus, Cuba
Died	June 13, 1921 (aged 62) New York City, New York USA
Nationality	Cuban
Political party	Liberal Party of Cuba
Spouse(s)	América Arias
Children	Miguel Mariano Gómez

José Miguel Gómez y Gómez (July 6, 1858 – June 13, 1921) was a Cuban who was one of the leaders of the rebel forces in the Cuban War of Independence and President of Cuba from 1909 to 1913.

Early career

At the Constitutional Convention, Gómez was one of those who voted in favor of adopting the Platt Amendment. Born in Sancti Spíritus, in the former Las Villas Province, Gómez went on to govern Santa Clara and became quite popular in Cuba. In 1905 Gómez planned to run for the presidency with Alfredo Zayas on behalf of the Liberals. Violence prevented the Liberals from winning much in the election so Gómez dropped out of the running.

Gómez and Zayas began to split the Liberal party. A strong showing by the Conservatives against the divided Liberals convinced them to rejoin.

Term in Office

Gómez and Zayas won the 1908 election as the candidates for the Liberal Party. He was very well liked among the people and Gómez was also viewed as a kind president in the eyes of the people. However, political corruption boomed during his presidency and several major scandals occurred.

During his presidency the government also began funding newspapers, influencing them towards pro-government positions. Although cheating probably occurred, Zayas beat Gómez for the presidency in 1920. Gómez would very likely have won had the elections been fair and honest.

Gómez went to the United States to meet with President Harding and tried unsuccessfully to get the United States Congress to intervene in the unfair election.

Later life

José Miguel Gómez died in New York City. His remains were brought back to Cuba for burial in the Colon Cemetery, Havana.

Personal life

A friend of Gómez, Gerardo Machado, became the president of Cuba a few years later.

He was married to América Arias y López, and their son, Miguel Mariano Gómez, served as the sixth President of Cuba.

References

• Otero, Juan Joaquin (1954). Libro De Cuba, Una Enciclopedia Ilustrada Que Abarca Las Ates, Las Letras, Las Ciencias, La Economia, La Politica, La Historia, La Docencia, Y ElProgreso General De La Nacion Cubana - Edicion Conmemorative del Cincuentenario de la Republica de Cuba, 1902-1952. (Spanish)
• Cuba, The Pursuit of Freedom (Eyre & Spottiswoode Ltd., 1971)