Julio Cesar Mendez Montenegro; Ex-President of Guatemala

Julio Cesar Mendez Montenegro, 80, president of Guatemala from 1966 to 1970. He was seeking appointment as rector of the San Carlos National University on Oct. 31, 1965, when his brother, who was a presidential candidate, suddenly died. Mendez Montenegro stepped in and was elected. By bargaining with the military, he became the first president in Guatemalan history to turn over power to a constitutionally elected opposition candidate when he left office. After his presidency, Mendez Montenegro served as Guatemalan ambassador to Mexico and dean of the law school at San Carlos. On Tuesday in Guatemala City of a heart attack.