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Nicolás Lindley López is a key figure in Peruvian politics, best known for being one of the leaders of the 1962 military coup that ousted President Manuel Prado, and for briefly serving as the head of state from 1963 to 1964 as leader of the military junta. Born on November 16, 1908, in Lima, into a Peruvian family of English descent, Lindley pursued a military career from an early age.
Lindley studied at the Military School of Chorrillos, where he rose through the ranks to become a general in the Peruvian army. His military career was marked by steady advancement, earning the respect of both his peers and political elites for his professionalism and disciplined approach to military command.
On July 18, 1962, amidst a political and economic crisis, Lindley, then serving as chief of staff of the army, played a central role in the military coup that overthrew President Manuel Prado Ugarteche. The coup was justified by allegations of electoral fraud during the 1962 presidential election. The civilian government was replaced by a military junta led by Ricardo Pérez Godoy, with Lindley as the second most powerful figure.
However, tensions soon arose within the military junta, particularly between Pérez Godoy and Lindley. In 1963, Lindley ousted Pérez Godoy and took over as de facto president of Peru on March 3, 1963. During his brief tenure, Lindley oversaw preparations for democratic elections, adhering to the military junta’s promise to return power to civilian rule after a transitional period.
Under Lindley’s leadership, presidential elections were held in 1963, leading to the victory of Fernando Belaúnde Terry. Lindley kept his promise to restore democracy and peacefully transferred power to Belaúnde on July 28, 1963, marking the end of his presidency.
After stepping down from office, Lindley continued to serve in the military and held various diplomatic positions, including serving as Peru’s ambassador to Spain, where he worked to strengthen relations between the two countries. He retired from public and military life in the late 1960s.
Nicolás Lindley died on May 3, 1995, in Lima. His legacy is defined by his role during the 1962-1963 transitional period, a pivotal moment in Peruvian history. While criticized for his involvement in the 1962 coup, he is also credited with upholding his commitment to return the country to democracy under challenging circumstances.