Gregorio Pacheco

Gregorio Pacheco
Gregorio Pacheco
President of Bolivia
In office September 3, 1884 – August 15, 1888
Vice President	Aniceto Arce
Preceded by	Narciso Campero
Succeeded by	Aniceto Arce
Personal details
Born	Gregorio Pacheco 1823 Potosi, Bolivia
Died	1899 Potosi, Bolivia
Resting place	Potosia, Bolivia
Nationality	Bolivian
Political party	Elected as not being of any party, but allied himself with the Conservative Party after entering office
Profession	Businessman, Entrepreneur
Religion	Roman Catholic

Gregorio Pacheco Leyes (1823 – 1899) 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.

Preceded by Narciso Campero

President of Bolivia September 3, 1884-August 15, 1888

Succeeded by Aniceto Arce