Born in Panama City, he was educated at Dartmouth College in the United States, where he obtained a master's degree in finance.
[1] Prior to his administration, he held diplomatic positions, as well as serving as secretary of state and First Vice President from 1945 to 1948.
He was considered a visionary of the Electoral Tribunal and other constitutional reforms, he earned a reputation as a leading advocate for Panamian democracy.
On 26 April 1959, he faced an attempted coup planned by diplomat Roberto Arias, nephew of deposed ex-president Arnulfo Arias and husband of famous British ballerina Margot Fonteyn.
[2] The coup, allegedly sponsored by Fidel Castro, was suppressed with help from the United States and other American countries.