Omar Efraín Torrijos Herrera (February 13, 1929 – July 31, 1981) was the Commander of the Panamanian and
National Guard and the
de facto dictator of
Panama from 1968 to 1981. Torrijos was never officially the
president of Panama, but instead held titles including "Maximum Leader of the Panamanian Revolution" and "Supreme Chief of Government." Despite taking power in a
coup d'état, Torrijos instituted a number of social reforms and his regime was considered
progressive.