Transition to Independence
On October 12, 1968, President Francisco Macías Nguema took charge, and formed the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. Things started off fine, until 1970 when Nguema declared himself president for life. At that time, he broke off Equatorial Guinea's connection with Spain and other western countries, and formed special relationships with China, Cuba, USSR, and other socialist countries. Alongside the relationships he was forming, he also was making trade agreements with the Soviet Republic. The agreement let the Soviet Republic establish a naval base and fishing development in exchange for fish from USSR. The Soviet Republic began using the naval base for war with Angola, which made Equatorial Guinea the blame for mass killings. As a result, people began plotting against Nguema. He soon ordered them to be killed. On Christmas day, 1975, Nguema began executing 150 people who were planning to overthrow his presidency, as well as suspicious opponents and foreigners. In the end, 80,000 people were killed. In 1979 Teodoro Obiang removed Nguema from office. Nguema was tried and sentenced to death on August 3, 1979. Today, Obiang is the President of Equatorial Guinea, and August 3rd is celebrated as el Golpe de Libertad, in honor of the day Nguema was overthrown.