Jorge Córdova
Encyclopedia
Jorge Córdova was a military officer and constitutional president of Bolivia
(1855–1857).
A general
, Córdova was longtime dictator
Manuel Isidoro Belzu
's son-in-law. As such, he was the main support to his despotic regime
. When in 1855 Belzu decided to call elections and "retire" from politics
in the face of repeated rebellion
s against his rule, he sponsored Córdova's candidacy. The latter was elected president and proceeded to be sworn-in on August 15, 1855, at age thirty-three. Not surprisingly, Córdova was widely seen as ex-president Belzu's proxy, and merely an instrument of his power. Belzu remained the proverbial "power behind the throne
," and this fact only spurred the opposition to continue to conspire against the hated Belzu-Córdova regime, which had run Bolivian politics since 1847. Eventually, the forces arrayed against the president coalesced around the forceful civilian Constitutionalist José María Linares
, who in October 1857 at long last succeeded in toppling Córdova from power. Fleeing the country, he eventually returned to Bolivia
, eager as always to support his father-in-law
's ambitions to return to the Bolivian Government Palace.
Former president Jorge Córdova was assassinated
in 1862, during the so-called "Matanzas de Yáñez" (Yáñez Bloodbath), when president José María de Achá's supporter and military governor of La Paz Province, Plácido Yáñez, massacred dozens of opposition figures, many of them from the pro-Belzu camp.
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...
(1855–1857).
A general
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
, Córdova was longtime dictator
Dictator
A dictator is a ruler who assumes sole and absolute power but without hereditary ascension such as an absolute monarch. When other states call the head of state of a particular state a dictator, that state is called a dictatorship...
Manuel Isidoro Belzu
Manuel Isidoro Belzu
Manuel Isidoro Belzu Humerez was president of Bolivia from 1848 to 1855.-Early life and education:Born in La Paz, Bolivia to humble mestizo parents, Belzu was educated by Franciscan friars.-Early career:...
's son-in-law. As such, he was the main support to his despotic regime
Regime
The word regime refers to a set of conditions, most often of a political nature.-Politics:...
. When in 1855 Belzu decided to call elections and "retire" from politics
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
in the face of repeated rebellion
Rebellion
Rebellion, uprising or insurrection, is a refusal of obedience or order. It may, therefore, be seen as encompassing a range of behaviors aimed at destroying or replacing an established authority such as a government or a head of state...
s against his rule, he sponsored Córdova's candidacy. The latter was elected president and proceeded to be sworn-in on August 15, 1855, at age thirty-three. Not surprisingly, Córdova was widely seen as ex-president Belzu's proxy, and merely an instrument of his power. Belzu remained the proverbial "power behind the throne
Power behind the throne
The phrase power behind the throne refers to a person or group that informally exercises the real power of an office. In politics, it most commonly refers to a spouse, aide, or advisor of a political leader who serves as de facto leader, setting policy through influence or manipulation.The...
," and this fact only spurred the opposition to continue to conspire against the hated Belzu-Córdova regime, which had run Bolivian politics since 1847. Eventually, the forces arrayed against the president coalesced around the forceful civilian Constitutionalist José María Linares
José María Linares
José María Linares Lizarazu was born in Tical, Potosí, on a farm. Belonging to the noble and wealthy family of the Counts of Lords and House of Rodrigo in Navarre, Linares was related to the Spanish nobility...
, who in October 1857 at long last succeeded in toppling Córdova from power. Fleeing the country, he eventually returned to 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...
, eager as always to support his father-in-law
Father-in-law
A parent-in-law is a person who has a legal affinity with another by being the parent of the other's spouse. Many cultures and legal systems impose duties and responsibilities on persons connected by this relationship...
's ambitions to return to the Bolivian Government Palace.
Former president Jorge Córdova was assassinated
Assassination
To carry out an assassination is "to murder by a sudden and/or secret attack, often for political reasons." Alternatively, assassination may be defined as "the act of deliberately killing someone, especially a public figure, usually for hire or for political reasons."An assassination may be...
in 1862, during the so-called "Matanzas de Yáñez" (Yáñez Bloodbath), when president José María de Achá's supporter and military governor of La Paz Province, Plácido Yáñez, massacred dozens of opposition figures, many of them from the pro-Belzu camp.