Oswaldo Lopez Arellano (born 1921) was the dominant military officer in Honduras from 1957 to 1975. He twice served as the country's president.

As president of Honduras during most of 1963-1975, Oswaldo Lopez Arellano faced many problems that had been building in the country throughout the twentieth century. Honduras was largely a "banana republic," dominated by American companies, who exploited peasant labor. Honduran rulers, including Lopez Arellano, were challenged to industrialize and diversify the economy, redistribute agricultural land, and appease repressed workers.

Lopez Arellano was born June 30, 1921 in Danli, Honduras to Enrique Lopez and Carlota Arellano. He was educated at the American School in Tegucigalpa and learned to speak fluent English. In 1939, Lopez Arellano enlisted in the army. Later he entered the Honduran Air Force School, where his brother was an instructor. He graduated as a pilot. In 1942, Lopiz Arellano was sent to an Arizona air force base to study mechanical...