President of the Republic of Panama. Despite a life of public service as engineer, politician, and diplomat, Ernesto Jaen Guardia is most notable for being Panama's shortest serving president. Originating from Anton, Jaen Guardia studied civil engineering at the University of Michigan before receiving his degree in architectural engineering from the University of Chicago in 1921. In the following years, he remained involved in construction projects in the United States and Panama, including a period with the U.S. military in the Canal Zone. He also held positions as a math instructor at the University of Panama, superintendent of St. Thomas Hospital, and director of the School of Arts and Crafts. Entering government, he served as Minister of Health, Welfare, and Development, Minister of Public Works, and Ambassador to Mexico. He was ultimately appointed 2nd Designate in the cabinet of President Arnulfo Arias in 1940. Jaen Guardia's role as president occurred on October 9, 1941, with his involvement in the coup of the Arias government orchestrated by the Minister of Government and Justice, Ricardo de la Guardia. The coup was purportedly supported by U.S. authorities who believed Arias to be a Nazi sympathizer. That day, without approval of the National Assembly, and against constitutional protocol, Arias left Panama for Cuba for what he claimed was an appointment with an eye specialist. De la Guardia convened the Cabinet and the Supreme Court claiming that Arias had effectively vacated the presidency. As 1st Designate Jose Pezet could not be located, succession fell to Jaen Guardia. (It was later discovered that Pezet had in fact been held under arrest that morning in order to prevent his own lawful succession.) Jaen Guardia quickly assembled a cabinet, positioning de la Guardia as his immediate successor and promptly resigned the presidency. With the cabinet's support, de la Guardia was sworn in. Ernesto Jaen Guardia's presidency had lasted approximately three hours. After assuming office, de la Guardia appointed Jaen Guardia ambassador to the United States.