Emilio Álvarez Montalván


Emilio Álvarez Montalván was a Nicaraguan ophthalmologist and a Foreign Minister of the Republic of Nicaragua.

Biography

Emilio Álvarez Montalván was born in Managua, Nicaragua. In 1946, he received a Doctorate in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Chile, School of Medicine, graduating cum laude. He later studied ophthalmology at the Instituto de Oftalmología, Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1949. His post-graduate studies included work at the National Center for Ophthalmology in Paris, the Institute of Ophthalmology in London, and, lastly, at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary in New York City.
Álvarez was also an active participant in Nicaraguan politics, and a writer of international repute. In 1954–55, he was incarcerated for one year during the dictatorship of Anastasio Somoza García. In 1996, at age 77, he was appointed Foreign Minister of Nicaragua.
After his retirement from public office and medical practice, Álvarez continued to influence national policy through published articles and lectures on politics, with special emphasis on national political culture. In 2006-07, he was awarded honorary doctorates for his research and contributions to the latter.

Family

Emilio Alvarez was married to Carmen Guerra; the couple had six children.

Career