Emílio Garrastazu Médici

Emílio Garrastazu Médici was a Brazilian military officer and president from 1969 to 1974. His rule was marked by economic growth, political repression, censorship, and torture under Brazil’s military dictatorship.

Brazilian military dictatorship: The authoritarian regime that governed Brazil from 1964 to 1985 after a military coup. Médici governed during one of the dictatorship’s most repressive periods.
Institutional Act Number Five: A 1968 decree that expanded Brazil’s dictatorship’s powers to suspend political rights and close legislatures. It supplied the legal framework for repression during Médici’s presidency.
1964 Brazilian coup d'état: The military overthrow of Brazilian president João Goulart on March 31 and April 1, 1964. The coup began the dictatorship in which Médici later held power.
Ernesto Geisel: Brazilian general and president from 1974 to 1979 who began a controlled political opening. Geisel succeeded Médici and pursued gradual liberalization rather than continued hard-line rule.
Brazilian economic miracle: A period of rapid economic growth in Brazil, especially from 1968 to 1973. Growth during Médici’s presidency helped bolster the regime’s public image.
National Security Law (Brazil): Brazilian legislation that defined offenses against national security and enabled prosecution by the regime. Authorities used national-security charges against political opponents.
Artur da Costa e Silva: Brazilian general and president from 1967 until a disabling illness in 1969. Costa e Silva’s illness opened the succession that brought Médici to office.
João Figueiredo: Brazilian general and the last military president, serving from 1979 to 1985. His government oversaw the final phase of military rule that followed Médici’s presidency.
Brazilian political prisoners: People imprisoned by Brazil’s military regime for political activity or opposition. Arrests and imprisonment expanded under Médici’s government.
Department of Information Operations–Internal Defense Operations Center: A Brazilian military intelligence and repression network active during the dictatorship. Its units conducted interrogations and operations against suspected opponents under Médici.

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Military dictatorship in BrazilBroader topic: His government became associated with intensified torture, censorship, and political persecution.