Belisario Porras Barahona facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Belisario Porras Barahona
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| President of Panama | |
| In office 1 October 1912 – 1 October 1916 |
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| Deputy | Presidential designates Rodolfo Chiari Ramón Maximiliano Valdés Aristides Arjona Ramón Maximiliano Valdés Manuel Quintero Ciro Urriola |
| Preceded by | Pablo Arosemena |
| Succeeded by | Ramón Maximiliano Valdés |
| In office 12 October 1918 – 30 January 1920 |
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| Deputy | Presidential designates Pedro Antonio Díaz Ernesto Lefevre |
| Preceded by | Pedro Antonio Díaz |
| Succeeded by | Ernesto Lefevre |
| In office 1 October 1920 – 1 October 1924 |
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| Deputy | Presidential designates Federico Boyd Guillermo Andreve Julio Fábrega Rodolfo Chiari Ignacio Quinzada Nicanor A. De Obarrio |
| Preceded by | Ernesto Lefevre |
| Succeeded by | Rodolfo Chiari |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Ricardo Joaquín Alfaro Jované
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Belisario Porras Barahona (born November 28, 1856 – died August 28, 1942) was an important Panamanian journalist and politician. He served as the President of Panama three times between 1912 and 1924.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Belisario Porras was born in Las Tablas. At that time, Panama was still part of Colombia. His grandmother raised him. His father paid for his early schooling in Bogotá, the capital of Colombia.
Later, he joined his father and went to secondary school. In 1874, he began studying law at the National University. He even won a special scholarship from the Colombian government. This scholarship allowed him to study in Belgium. After his studies, he returned to Panama.
A Career in Journalism and Politics
When he came back, Belisario Porras started working as a reporter. He joined the local Colombian Liberal Party. Because of his political views, the ruling Conservative government in Bogotá began to target him.
This led to him being sent away from his home country, a process called exile. He lived in Nicaragua and El Salvador. While there, he worked as a professor and continued his work as a reporter.
Leading During Conflict
When the Thousand Days War started in Colombia, the Liberal leaders in Panama asked Porras for help. They wanted him to lead an invasion of the Isthmus in 1900.
He worked with General Victoriano Lorenzo and other leaders. Porras began his fight from Costa Rica in the west. He put together a group of volunteer soldiers. They marched towards the capital city. However, his forces were defeated in the Battle of Calidonia Bridge.
After this defeat, Porras went back into exile. He stayed away until 1904. By then, Panama had become an independent country. He then became a diplomat, representing Panama in other countries.
Becoming President
Belisario Porras became president for the first time in 1912. A very important project was completed during his first term: the Panama Canal. This huge canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
He served as president three times in total. His terms were from 1912 to 1916, 1918 to 1920, and 1920 to 1924. In September 1918, he was also chosen as the first presidential designate by the National Assembly.
Family Life
Belisario Porras Barahona was the son of Demetrio Porras Cavero and Juana Gumersinda Barahona. He had a family and several children.
He passed away in Panama City on August 28, 1942.
See also
In Spanish: Belisario Porras para niños
