Joaquín Balaguer

Joaquín Balaguer
Balaguer in 1977
41st, 45th and 49th President of the Dominican Republic
In office
16 August 1986 – 16 August 1996
Vice PresidentCarlos Morales Troncoso
(1986–1994)
Jacinto Peynado Garrigosa
(1994–1996)
Preceded bySalvador Jorge Blanco
Succeeded byLeonel Fernández
In office
1 July 1966 – 16 August 1978
Vice PresidentFrancisco Augusto Lora
(1966–1970)
Carlos Rafael Goico
(1970–1978)
Preceded byHéctor García-Godoy
Succeeded byAntonio Guzmán Fernández
In office
3 August 1960 – 16 January 1962
Vice PresidentRafael Filiberto Bonnelly
LeaderRafael Trujillo
(1960–1961)
Ramfis Trujillo
(June–November 1961)
Preceded byHéctor Trujillo
Succeeded byRafael Filiberto Bonnelly
24th Vice President of the Dominican Republic
In office
16 August 1957 – 3 August 1960
PresidentHéctor Trujillo
Preceded byManuel Troncoso de la Concha
Succeeded byRafael Filiberto Bonnelly
Personal details
Born(1906-09-01)1 September 1906
Bisonó, Dominican Republic
Died14 July 2002(2002-07-14) (aged 95)
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Political partyIndependent
(1924–1966)
Social Christian Reformist Party
(1966–1996)
Children1
EducationUniversidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo

Joaquín Antonio Balaguer Ricardo (1 September 1906 – 14 July 2002)[1] was a Dominican politician, scholar, writer, and lawyer who was the 41st, 45th and 49th president of the Dominican Republic serving three non-consecutive terms from 1960 to 1962, 1966 to 1978, and 1986 to 1996. He previously served as the 24th vice president under President Héctor Trujillo from 1957 to 1960.

His enigmatic, secretive personality was inherited from the Trujillo era, as well as his desire to perpetuate himself in power through dubious elections and state terrorism, and he was considered to be a caudillo. His regime of terror claimed 11,000 victims who were either tortured or forcibly disappeared and killed.[2][3] Nevertheless, Balaguer was also considered to be instrumental in the liberalization of the Dominican government, and his time as leader of the Dominican Republic saw major changes such as legalized political activities, surprise army promotions and demotions, promoting health and education improvements and instituting modest land reforms.[4][5]

  1. ^ Sanchez, Dago (2010-01-08). Un Dominicano en Peligro / A Dominican in Danger. ISBN 9781426923104.
  2. ^ "11,000 víctimas en Doce Años de JB" (in Spanish). Listín Diario. 2013-03-10. Archived from the original on 2015-07-15. Retrieved 2018-09-05.
  3. ^ "Comisión de la Verdad por asesinatos y desapariciones" (in Spanish). Listín Diario. 2013-03-10. Archived from the original on 2015-07-15. Retrieved 2018-09-05.
  4. ^ Chamberlain, Greg (14 July 2002). "Joaquin Balaguer". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  5. ^ Pearson, Richard (15 July 2002). "Joaquin Balaguer Dies at 95". Washington Post. Retrieved 8 July 2021.