President Rodriguez

Bio
President Hernando Gonzalez Enriques Rodriguez is the temperamental president of the Hispanic Republic of Equarico, a small island nation or country near or in Central America. His family have all served as founders of their own kingdoms; his father, brother and even his mother becoming "fathers of their countries." However, Rodriguez is overthrown by dissidents in his country during a cabinet meeting and is exiled to the island. Discovered by Gilligan, his gunshot alerts the others who try to disarm him by getting him to use up his bullets; however, when he tries to execute Gilligan as an example, he realizes he has already used up his bullets. Humbled and forlorn, the castaways welcome him onto their island. However, Rodriguez has a hard time adjusting to island life when he sees that the island has little political activity due to a small population. He tries to encourage the easily servile Gilligan to lead the others, but Gilligan has a dream where he fears Rodriguez only wants to use him to further his own powers. In reality, the loyalists come to power once more and retrieve Rodriguez. The boat can only fit Rodriguez, but he promises to send his royal yacht to rescue them. However, once in power, Rodriguez's claims of controlling an island full of people spur a counterrevolution which gets him dethroned once again and exiled this time to the Andes, making the promised rescue of the castaways unlikely. The Castaways ultimately hear about the news report on the radio.

Trivia

 * President Rodriguez was played by Israeli-born actor Nehemiah Persoff, who Sherwood Schwartz commented on was uncanny with his Spanish accent and natural comedic timing despite being known as a dramatic actor.
 * This was one of the few instances a supporting character appeared in one of the castaways' dream sequences.

Episodes(s)

 * The Little Dictator