Juan Velasco Alvarado was a Peruvian military officer and politician who served as the President of Peru from 1968 to 1975. He came to power through a coup d'état, leading a government that aimed to implement significant social and economic reforms. His administration focused on land reform, nationalization of key industries, and improving education and healthcare. Velasco's policies were part of a broader movement in Latin America during the 1960s and 1970s, often referred to as populism. While he gained support from many sectors of society, his government faced criticism for authoritarian practices and economic challenges. He was eventually ousted in 1975.