a president, to the interior minister, according to the Chilean constitution.) Congress refused to accept Alessandri's resignation, and instead granted him a six-month constitutional leave of absence. Alessandri left the country immediately for Italy. On September 11, General Altamirano established a military Junta to rule the country, together with Vice-Admiral Francisco Nef and General Juan Pablo Bennett, retaining the position of president. He assumed dictatorial powers and proceeded to close Congress. During his conservative rule, he tried several measures to control the economic crisis and to reform the local bureaucracy. Nonetheless, he lost the confidence of the "military committee" who had elevated him to power, and was deposed and arrested by another military coup on January 23, 1925. On February 6, 1925, he retired from active duty and died in Santiago in 1938. External links Official biography 1867 births 1938 deaths Chilean Ministers of the Interior Chilean Ministers of Defense Heads of state of Chile Leaders who took power by coup Chilean Army generals