Manuel Barillas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
General of Division
Manuel Lisandro Barillas Bercián
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| 14th President of Guatemala | |
| In office 16 March 1886 – 15 March 1892 Acting: 6 April 1885 – 15 March 1886 |
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| Preceded by | Alejandro M. Sinibaldi |
| Succeeded by | José María Reina Barrios |
| Mayor of Quetzaltenango | |
| In office 1892–1893 |
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| Preceded by | Manuel Estrada Cabrera |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 January 1845 Quetzaltenango, Guatemala |
| Died | 7 April 1907 (aged 62) Mexico City, Mexico |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Parent | José Onofre Barillas y Ponciana Bercián |
| Occupation | Military General |
| Nickname | "Man of tragic sevens" (because he died on 7 April 1907) |
Manuel Lisandro Barillas Bercián (born January 17, 1845 – died April 7, 1907) was a general from Guatemala. He served as the acting president of Guatemala from 1885 to 1886. Later, he became the official President from 1886 to 1892.
Barillas was born in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. Sadly, he was killed in Mexico City in 1907. This happened because Manuel Estrada Cabrera, who was the President of Guatemala at the time, ordered his death.
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Becoming President of Guatemala
Manuel Lisandro Barillas Bercián became president in a very unusual way. In April 1885, the president, Justo Rufino Barrios, died in a battle. Barillas quickly went to the General Cemetery where Barrios was being buried.
He told the head of Congress a big lie. He said he had 5,000 soldiers waiting in Mixco for his orders. He claimed these soldiers needed food and a place to stay. The Congress president was scared by this news. He immediately declared Barillas the interim president. By the time they realized Barillas had lied, it was too late to change anything.
Instead of holding new elections, Barillas Bercián was officially declared President on March 16, 1886. He stayed in office until 1892.
Remodeling the Colón Theater
In 1852, a plan was made to build a grand National Theater. It was meant to be named Carrera Theater, after Rafael Carrera. Carrera approved the plan and chose Juan Matheu and Miguel Ruiz de Santisteban to build it.
A German expert named José Beckers later took over the building project. He added Greek-style fronts and a lobby. This theater was one of the first big buildings constructed in Guatemala after it became a republic. This was a time when the country finally had some peace and was doing well.
An old guide from 1884 described the theater as very grand. It said the theater was surrounded by orange trees and beautiful flowers. Statues and fountains also made the area look lovely.
After a big change in government in 1871, the theater was renamed the National Theater. In 1892, it was updated again. Old symbols were removed from its front. New gardens were planted, and a statue of José Batres Montúfar was put up.
During President Barillas Bercián's time, the theater was remodeled to celebrate a special event. This was the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus discovering America. The Italian community in Guatemala gave a statue of Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón in Spanish). This statue was placed next to the theater. Since then, the theater has been known as the "Colón Theater."
The 1892 Presidential Elections
General José María Reyna Barrios was the nephew of former president Justo Rufino Barrios. He returned to Guatemala to run in the 1892 presidential elections. Barillas had sent him away a few years before. This election was special because candidates could advertise in local newspapers for the first time.
Here are some of the candidates who ran for president:
| Name | Party | Supported by | Other information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lorenzo Montúfar | Liberal | Liberal Club | He was the only candidate to publish his picture in newspapers. Some people said he wasted money doing this. |
| Francisco Lainfiesta | Liberal | None | He shared his plans for government in the Diario de Centro America newspaper. This showed the freedom of the press during Barillas's time. |
| José María Reyna Barrios | Liberal | Liberal Club | He was the candidate who eventually won the election. |
| Miguel Enríquez | Conservative | Conservative Party | Enríquez used to be a liberal. He became a conservative after Barillas's government treated him badly. |
| José Carranza Llerena | Conservative | None | He was a doctor for President Barillas. |
President Barillas Bercián was different from other liberal presidents in Guatemala between 1871 and 1944. He peacefully gave up his power to the next president. As the election got closer, he called the three main liberal candidates to ask about their plans.
Here's what happened:
First, lawyer Francisco Lainfiesta met with Barillas. Barillas asked him what his government would be like. He especially wanted to know how Lainfiesta would treat him. Lainfiesta said his government would strictly follow the Constitution. He promised that the law would apply to everyone. Barillas said "Very well" and they ended their meeting.
Next, Dr. Montúfar came in. Barillas asked him similar questions. Montúfar also said he would strictly follow the Constitution.
Finally, General José María Reyna Barrios arrived. When Barillas asked him the same question, Reyna smiled. He said, "We shouldn't even talk about that, general. You and I are the same. I promise I will respect and protect you." They shook hands warmly.
During the election, Lainfiesta was ahead for the first two days of voting. But on the third day, many Indigenous people from Quetzaltenango and Totonicapán came to vote for Reyna Barrios. The officials helped make sure Reyna was elected president. To be fair to the candidates who lost, Barillas gave them money to cover their campaign costs. Reyna Barrios, of course, did not receive any money. He became President on March 15, 1892.
After His Presidency
After his time as president, Barillas stayed in Guatemala. He managed his land properties, including a large farm called "La Aurora" near Guatemala City. However, in 1898, President Reyna Barrios was killed after trying to stay in office longer. Barillas then had to leave Guatemala and go to Mexico. This was because the new president, Manuel Estrada Cabrera, was his personal enemy. In Mexico, Barillas was involved in several plans to try and take over the Guatemalan government again.
Death
Manuel Lisandro Barillas Bercián was killed in Mexico City in 1907. Two assassins were sent to kill him by President Manuel Estrada Cabrera. Estrada Cabrera had grown tired of Barillas's constant plans against his government from Mexico. The two killers were part of Estrada Cabrera's personal guards. They thought they would not be punished for the crime, as they were used to committing crimes without consequences in Guatemala. However, they were caught and questioned. They confessed that two high-ranking officials in the Guatemalan government had sent them to Mexico to kill Barillas.
Portraits
See also
In Spanish: Manuel Lisandro Barillas para niños
