Somoza, Anastasio, 1896-1956, president of Nicaragua (1937-47, 1950-56). After the end (1933) of U.S. military intervention in Nicaragua, he rose to power as head of the national guard. Though himself a member of the Liberal party, he engineered (1936) a successful coup against the incumbent Liberal regime. In 1937 he formally assumed the presidency. In 1947 he withdrew, but before a month had elapsed he ousted his successor and installed a puppet president. He was accused (1948) by Costa Rica of aiding a group of rebels bent on overthrowing the liberal regime in that country. The Organization of American States investigated the charges, ruled in favor of Costa Rica, and reprimanded Somoza. Undeterred, he had himself reelected in 1950 over the ineffectual opposition of Emiliano Chamorro and continued his dictatorial rule and provocations against Costa Rica. He maintained, however, very cordial relations with the United States. On Sept. 21, 1956, he was shot; eight days later he died. His son, Luis Somoza, succeeded him to the presidency.

Somoza Debayle, Anastasio, 1925-80, president of Nicaragua (1967-72, 1974—79). The younger son of dictator Anastasio Somoza, he was educated in the United States. He assumed command of the national guard at age 21 and was elected president in 1967. Barred from immediate reelection, he resigned (1972), nominally yielding power until the 1974 elections; however, as commander of the corrupt and brutal national guard, he effectively retained power. As president, he dealt ruthlessly with opposition. By the late 1970s, his regime was denounced by human-rights organizations and by the U.S. government, and support for violent insurrection spread. Somoza fled Nicaragua on the eve of the revolutionary victory in 1979. He was assassinated in Paraguay.

Bustamante, Anastasio, 1780-1853, Mexican general and president (1830-32, 1837-41). He served in the royalist army against Hidalgo y Costilla and Morelos y Pavón, but his adherence to the Plan of Iguala in support of Agustín de Iturbide was a decisive factor in the latter's success. Vice president under Guerrero, he engineered a successful revolution (1829-30) with the aid of Santa Anna. At Bustamante's order Guerrero was captured and shot, but Bustamante in turn fell from power when Santa Anna seized the government (1832). When Santa Anna's failure to crush the Texas revolution temporarily weakened his political hold, Bustamante returned from exile in France and was again president. His regime was reactionary and was plagued by revolution, by trouble with the French, by the blockade of Veracruz (1838), and especially by Santa Anna, who had recovered popularity. Seizing control, Santa Anna forced Bustamante again into exile. Bustamante returned to serve in the Mexican War.

(born Feb. 18, 1745, Como, Lombardy—died March 5, 1827, Como) Italian scientist. In 1775 he invented the electrophorus, a device used to generate static electricity. He taught physics at the University of Pavia (1779–1804). After Luigi Galvani in 1780 produced an electric current by connecting two different metals with the muscle of a frog, Volta began experimenting in 1794 with metals alone and found that animal tissue was not needed to produce current. He demonstrated the first electric battery in 1800. In 1801 he demonstrated the battery's generation of current before Napoleon, who made him a count and senator of the kingdom of Lombardy. In 1815 he was appointed director of the philosophical faculty at the University of Padua. The volt was named in his honour in 1881.

Learn more about Volta, Alessandro (Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio) with a free trial on Britannica.com.

(born Feb. 18, 1745, Como, Lombardy—died March 5, 1827, Como) Italian scientist. In 1775 he invented the electrophorus, a device used to generate static electricity. He taught physics at the University of Pavia (1779–1804). After Luigi Galvani in 1780 produced an electric current by connecting two different metals with the muscle of a frog, Volta began experimenting in 1794 with metals alone and found that animal tissue was not needed to produce current. He demonstrated the first electric battery in 1800. In 1801 he demonstrated the battery's generation of current before Napoleon, who made him a count and senator of the kingdom of Lombardy. In 1815 he was appointed director of the philosophical faculty at the University of Padua. The volt was named in his honour in 1881.

Learn more about Volta, Alessandro (Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio) with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Anastasio may refer to:

People with the given name Anastasio:

• Anastasio Alfaro (1865-1951), Costa Rican zoologist, geologist and explorer
• Anastasio Aquino (1792-1833), Salvadoran indigenous leader
• Anastasio Ballestrero (1913-1998), Italian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church
• Anastasio Bustamante (1780-1853), President of Mexico
• Anastasio Somoza Debayle (1925-1980), President of Nicaragua
• Anastasio Somoza García (1896-1956), President of Nicaragua
• Anastasio Somoza Portocarrero (20th century), Nicaraguan anti-communist

People with the surname Anastasio:

• Anthony Anastasio (1906-1963), New York mobster and labor racketeer
• Kara Anastasio (21st century), American politician
• Michael R. Anastasio (born 1948), director of the Los Alamos National Laboratory
• Trey Anastasio (born 1964), American guitarist, composer, and vocalist

See also

• Anastasia
• Anastasius