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In Latin America

Two ladies held the Presidency:

• Isabel Peron in Argentina (1974-1976)
• Rosalia Arteaga in Ecuador (1997).

Mrs Peron, known to the Argentine public as 'Isabelita',* was Juan Peron's third wife and became vice-president after his return to power in September 1973, a former cabaret dancer, became Argentina's first female president as her husband President Juan Peron became sick and delegated responsibility.
Mrs Arteaga, was Ecuador's interim president for a period last year after the former leader, Abdala Bucaram, was dismissed on grounds of mental incompetence.

Another two women were appointed as Prime Minister:

• Janet Jagan in Guyana (1997)
• and Beatriz Merino in Peru (2003).

Mrs. Jagan was born in the USA, but married in Guyana. Her husband won the elections in 1992, and she replaced him at his death in 1997.
Mrs. Merino first opposed Alan Garcia and then Fujimori; she managed to form a sober transparent and free of corruption government.