Juscelino Kubitschek

Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira (Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation: [ʒuseˈlinu kubiˈtʃɛk(i) dʒi oliˈve(j)ɾɐ]; 12 September 1902 – 22 August 1976), also known by his initials JK, was a Brazilian politician who served as the 21st president of Brazil from 1956 to 1961. During his term, the country experienced a period of notable economic growth and political stability. However, there was a significant increase in external debt, inflation, and wealth inequality. Kubitschek is also well-known for the construction of Brasília.

Born in Diamantina, Kubitschek completed the humanities course at the Diamantina Seminary and moved to Belo Horizonte in 1920. In 1927, he graduated in medicine from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), and in 1930 he specialized in urology in Paris.

Kubitschek briefly served as a federal deputy, before losing his seat during the 1937 Brazilian coup. In 1940, he was appointed mayor of Belo Horizonte, remaining in this position until October 1945. At the end of the same year, he was elected constituent deputy for the Social Democratic Party (PSD). In 1950, Kubitschek was elected governor of Minas Gerais. As governor, he created the Companhia Energética de Minas Gerais, and prioritized road building and industrialization.

In October 1954, Kubitschek launched his candidacy for the 1955 presidential election, which was made official in February 1955. He presented a developmentalist speech and used "50 years in 5" as his campaign slogan. In an alliance formed by six parties, his running mate was João Goulart. On 3 October, he was elected president of Brazil with 35.6% of the votes. The opposition tried to annul the election on the grounds that Kubitschek had not obtained an absolute majority of votes. However, general Henrique Teixeira Lott triggered a military movement to ensure Kubitschek's inauguration. As president, Kubitschek was responsible for the construction of a new federal capital, Brasília, thus carrying out an old project to promote the development of Brazil's interior and the country's integration.

In 1961, Kubitschek was elected senator for Goiás and tried to make his candidacy for the 1965 presidential election viable. However, with the 1964 military coup, Kubitschek was accused by the military of corruption and being supported by the communists. As a result, his term was revoked and his political rights were suspended. From then on, Kubitschek began touring cities in the United States and Europe, in voluntary exile. He intended to return to political life, but died in a car accident in 1976.