Gregorio Pacheco
Encyclopedia
Gregorio Pacheco Leyes was the constitutional President
of Bolivia
from 1884 to 1888. A native of Potosí
, Pacheco won a disputed election that was a virtual three-way tie between him, Conservative
leader Aniceto Arce
, and Liberal
chief Eliodoro Camacho
. Pacheco was a wealthy man and the country's foremost philanthropist. Although conservative by temperament, he was originally not a member of Arce's party, and ran against him, as well as against the Liberals, on the basis of his personal resources and fame as an efficient administrator. Arce, in fact, initially resented Pacheco's intrusion in politics, understanding that no one in the country could match his personal fortune, which would no doubt make him hard to beat. Soon the two made a deal, however, with Pacheco elevating Arce to the vice-presidency with the understanding that he (Pacheco) would support Arce in the 1888 elections. This pact united all Conservative factions and led to the cementing of a Conservative control of power, often by voting fraud, until 1899.
Pacheco faced many Liberal rebellions and coups, and in consequence governed with a repressive iron fist. He counted with extensive military support. As had been agreed upon, he supported Arce in the 1888 elections, which the latter, not surprisingly, won. At that point Gregorio Pacheco retired to his estate in Potosi, where he died in 1899.
President of Bolivia
The President of Bolivia is head of state and head of government of Bolivia. According to the current Constitution, the president is elected by popular vote to a five year term, renewable once...
of Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
from 1884 to 1888. A native of Potosí
Potosí
Potosí is a city and the capital of the department of Potosí in Bolivia. It is one of the highest cities in the world by elevation at a nominal . and it was the location of the Spanish colonial mint, now the National Mint of Bolivia...
, Pacheco won a disputed election that was a virtual three-way tie between him, Conservative
Conservative Party (Bolivia)
The Conservative Party was one of two major political parties in Bolivia in the late 19th century. The other was the Liberal Party. Between 1880 and 1899, all of the Presidents of Bolivia were members of the Conservative Party....
leader Aniceto Arce
Aniceto Arce
Aniceto Arce Ruiz was President of Bolivia from 1888 until 1892. The Aniceto Arce Province is named after him. Arce was a native of Tarija but was educated as a lawyer and resided most of his life in Sucre, where he became one of the country's foremost silver-mining tycoons...
, and Liberal
Liberal Party (Bolivia)
The Liberal Party was one of two major political parties in Bolivia in the late 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. The other was the Conservative Party. The Liberal Party was formally founded in 1883 by Eliodoro Camacho...
chief Eliodoro Camacho
Eliodoro Camacho
Eliodoro Camacho was a noted Bolivian politician, party leader, and presidential candidate. The Eliodoro Camacho Province is named after him. Camacho was born in Inquisivi, Department of La Paz, but grew up in Cochabamba...
. Pacheco was a wealthy man and the country's foremost philanthropist. Although conservative by temperament, he was originally not a member of Arce's party, and ran against him, as well as against the Liberals, on the basis of his personal resources and fame as an efficient administrator. Arce, in fact, initially resented Pacheco's intrusion in politics, understanding that no one in the country could match his personal fortune, which would no doubt make him hard to beat. Soon the two made a deal, however, with Pacheco elevating Arce to the vice-presidency with the understanding that he (Pacheco) would support Arce in the 1888 elections. This pact united all Conservative factions and led to the cementing of a Conservative control of power, often by voting fraud, until 1899.
Pacheco faced many Liberal rebellions and coups, and in consequence governed with a repressive iron fist. He counted with extensive military support. As had been agreed upon, he supported Arce in the 1888 elections, which the latter, not surprisingly, won. At that point Gregorio Pacheco retired to his estate in Potosi, where he died in 1899.