Ávila Camacho, Manuel, << AH vee `lah` kah MAH choh, mah NWEHL >> (1897-1955), a Mexican soldier, diplomat, and political leader, served as president of Mexico from 1940 to 1946. As president, he promoted closer relations with the United States and encouraged U.S. investment in Mexico. During World War II (1939-1945), he allied Mexico with the United States against the Axis Powers and initiated the bracero (day laborer) program. This program sent Mexican agricultural workers to the United States. See Mexico (During and after World War II) .
Ávila Camacho was born on April 24, 1897, in Teziutlán, Puebla, Mexico. When he was 17, he joined the uprising led by Venustiano Carranza against President Victoriano Huerta (see Carranza, Venustiano ). He later fought with Lázaro Cárdenas and Plutarco Elias Calles against the rebellion of Adolfo de la Huerta in 1923. In the late 1930’s, during the presidency of Cárdenas, Ávila Camacho served as secretary of national defense. He died on Oct. 13, 1955.
