Ecuador's great national chief: Who is Eloy Alfaro?

(1842-1912) Ecuadorian statesman. He served two terms as president. He was born on June 25, 1842, in Manabi, on the coast of Ecuador; He died in Quito on January 29, 1912. At the age of 22, he was exiled to Panama for his political work. He worked in organizing opposition movements in Ecuador. He emerged as the leader of guerrilla movements during various governments. The opening of Ecuador to the world market in the 1870s caused the coastal regions to gain importance and the liberals who were strong there to have a say in the country's economy. Liberals pursued a policy that opposed both the conservatives who dominated the highlands and the oppression of the church.

José Eloy Alfaro Delgado (25 June 1842 – 28 January 1912) often referred to as "The Old Warrior," was an Ecuadorian politician who served as the President of Ecuador from 1895 to 1901 and from 1906 to 1911.

When the coalition between Liberals and Conservatives fell apart in 1895, liberals seeking to seize power on their own needed a military leader. Known as the "Old Warrior", Alfaro became the head of the liberals and, after a year-long civil war, entered Quito with his army and took over the administration of the country.

Alfaro served as president twice, between 1895-1901 and 1906-1911. After the 1897 Constitution, he was elected president and received the title of "Great National Chief". Among the aims of Alfaro were to take measures to ensure the implementation of the constitution, to recognize individual rights and freedoms, to encourage foreign capital, to open new schools, to protect public health and to improve the living conditions of the locals. His desire to reduce the power of the Church provoked a violent reaction. With the approval of the Archbishop, the powers of the clergy involved in politics were restricted. Later, his desire to reorganize the church caused him to be accused of impiety.

During the presidency of Alfaro, freedom of religious belief was recognized in Ecuador and the article that the official religion was Catholicism was removed from the constitution. The tax paid to the church was abolished and some of the church property was confiscated. Official marriage and funeral laws were passed. Control over the press was reduced. One of the most important works was the completion of the railway from Guayaquil to Quito.

Despite all this, Alfaro's rule was personal and ruthless. Political executions increased during this period. The political power of the large landowners was reduced, while the coastal zone oligarchy was strengthened. Election games and nepotism became institutionalized. The liberal rule did not benefit the broad masses of the population, especially the natives and peasants.

Because Alfaro did not want to cede power to the candidate who won the 1911 election, he was exiled with his followers by a coalition of conservatives and opposition liberals. When the new president died four months later, he wanted to come back to his country and take power again, but he was unsuccessful. He was arrested with his followers and put in prison in Quito. In 1912, a religious group raided the prison and burned it after they dragged and smashed Alfaro and his friends through the streets. Alfaro's supporters continued their activities in Ecuadorian political life for many years.