[1] In October 1944, Osmín Aguirre y Salinas, who had been the director of the National Police, staged a counter-coup along with many other very conservative military officials.

[2] This repression radicalized the opposition, which armed itself in neighboring Guatemala, which had just overthrown its dictator Jorge Ubico during the Guatemalan Revolution.

Elam stated that the governments of Aguirre and Castaneda Castro "reestablished elitist rule, [and] restricted political activity.

"[2] James Dunkerley has stated that during Castaneda Castro's government, the country saw an economic recovery as the price of coffee rose, even as a return to democracy became less likely as the Cold War strengthened anti-communist sentiment.

[3] In 1945 Castaneda Castro met Guatemalan President Juan José Arévalo to discuss the possibility of a Central American Union.

[1] He initially intended to hand over power in 1949, but it was clear that his chosen successor Mauro Espinola Castro was unpopular while Osmín Aguirre y Salinas was among the favourites to win the election.