Antonio Francese

Antonio Francese (October 29, 1899 – June 5, 1979) was a Uruguayan Army general and politician who served as Minister of National Defense from 1967 to 1970 under President Jorge Pacheco Areco and briefly again in February 1973. His second term in office was marked by a significant challenge to his authority when the commanders of the Army and Air Force refused to follow his orders, a moment of defiance that foreshadowed the coup d'état of June 1973.^[1]

Antonio Francese
Minister of National Defense
In office February 7, 1972 – February 13, 1973
President	Juan María Bordaberry
Preceded by	Armando Malet
Succeeded by	Walter Ravenna
In office March 1, 1967 – April 17, 1970
Preceded by	Pablo C. Moratorio
Succeeded by	César R. Borba
Minister of the Interior
In office April 17, 1970 – January 19, 1971
President	Jorge Pacheco Areco
Preceded by	Pedro Cersósimo
Succeeded by	Santiago de Brum Carbajal
Personal details
Born	(1899-10-29)October 29, 1899
Died	June 5, 1979(1979-06-05) (aged 79) Montevideo, Uruguay
Political party	Colorado
Military service
Rank	Army General

Career

Francese was born in 1899 to a family of Italian descent. He enrolled in the Uruguay Military School and graduated as an officer in the National Army.^[2]