Juan Federico Ponce Vaides

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Juan Federico Ponce Vaides was a Guatemalan general who served as acting president for a few months in 1944. He came from a wealthy family in Cobán. He fought in the 1906 campaign against Honduras and El Salvador and later held leadership roles in various parts of the government.

When dictator Jorge Ubico resigned in July 1944, Vaides and two other generals formed a military junta. On July 3, he forced Congress to name him interim president. He promised to hold free elections, but he also cracked down on protests, suspended press freedom, and carried out detentions. Protests grew, including from rural and indigenous communities, teachers, students, and soldiers who were unhappy with the regime.

In October 1944, tensions led to a coup attempt. On October 20, a large uprising forced Vaides to surrender, and he and Ubico left the country. A new three-person junta took power and promised elections. The presidential elections were won by Juan José Arévalo, who began a period of social and political reforms known as the Guatemalan Revolution.