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Menezes is a successful businessman. He was foreign minister of São Tome and Principe from 1986 until 1987. He was elected President in July 2001 with 56.3% of the vote, defeating former president Manuel Pinto da Costa, who received about 38%. He took office on September 3, 2001. He had to renounce his Portuguese citizenship before he was allowed to run. On July 16, 2003, whilst he was away in Nigeria, there was a military coup d'etat led by Fernando Pereira, but Menezes was restored on July 23 2003, following negotiations.