A ruthless and corrupt politician, he initially achieved some success as a reformer and identified closely with the USA, but after his election to a second term he became increasingly involved in campaigns against nationalist and communist guerrilla groups, and in 1972–73 he first declared martial law and then assumed near dictatorial powers. Hostility to Marcos intensified after the murder of the opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr in 1983. US support for his regime waned as a result of his failure to achieve consensus, and in February 1986 he was forced to leave the country. In 1988 he and his wife were indicted by US courts for fraud and embezzlement but he died before he could stand trial.