Rafael Trujillo, how we maintained power, and his eventual downfall, based on "Feast of the Goat"?

Question

I've been reading The Feast of the Goat[Mario Vargas Llosa] for my history class and, it is a novel that outlines Trujillo's last days as dictator of the Dominican Republic. The fictional story through its plot intertwines actual historical themes and provides insight as to the regime of Trujillo.

In brief, I know that he was able to maintain power by spreading fear to those closest to him(and over those he ruled) and by properly choosing his confidants. I also know that a reason why he died was because of US involvement. I have several questions that I hope can be answered if somebody can please provide further insight.

- How was Trujillo able to maintain power and keep his country subservient despite the abuses of power that made other Caribbean dictators the target of leftist revolutionaries?

-What events finally lead to the downfall of the Trujillo regime?

-How are the events in the Domin Repub. similar to or different from other revolutions in Latin America?

Thanks alot!

Answer 1

I am not sure if I will be able to answer very well, but I am hoping I have an answer for you.

One way he kept power was first to change the Constitution. It assured him the Presidency and his party's control of the country. Another way was the modernization of his country and foreign investment. It created new jobs and created a middle class. When people are working and have money, they are generally happy.

One major event that brought his downfall was his involvement of the attempt on the life Venezuelan President Romulo Betancourt. This lead to economic sanctions from the U.S. and other Latin American countries. In 1960, the OAS made even further attempts to destabilize his government by enforcing hash sanctions and ending diplomatic ties. He was shot by his own armed forces on May 30, 1961.

I have not done too much research about other revolutions in other Latin American countries, but I would have to say that most of the revolutions might be similar based on economics. When an economy goes bad, most people seem to take up arms. I am not sure that is the best answer, but it is one that I have thought about.