When election returns showed an unmistakable trend in Guzmán's favor, the military stopped the count.

When Balaguer left office that year, it marked the first time in the Dominican Republic's history that an incumbent president peacefully surrendered power to an elected member of the opposition.

This new program also called for an institution for more formal training for officers and personnel that enlisted in the armed forces.

But even though Guzmán made many reforms that were beneficial to the country, he was still criticized for not responding to the economic decline.

One big event that made the criticism even stronger was Hurricane David that hit in 1979, which slowed the economy even more.

Early in June 1982, Hipólito Mejía, who was running to become senator for the Santiago Province, was told that the president was not feeling well and that he should pay him a visit.

After listening to his wife's concerns, Hipólito visited a psychiatrist friend who told him that the president may be suffering from depression.

Vice-President Jacobo Majluta became acting President and ruled for the remaining 43 days of the four-year term (source missing).