Osorio, Oscar

Osorio, Oscar ōskärˈ ōsōˈryō [key], 1910–69, president of El Salvador (1950–56). A peasant farmer, he joined the army and rose to the rank of major. As a member of the junta that seized power in 1948, he served as provisional executive until his election in 1950. Under his rule, the country's first social-security legislation was enacted, a more liberal constitution was adopted, housing was improved, and labor unions were legalized. Osorio was succeeded (1956) by his hand-picked successor, Lt. Col. José María Lemus.

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