Joaquín Balaguer
Joaquín Antonio Balaguer Ricardo (1 September 1906 – 14 July 2002) was a Dominican politician, scholar, writer, and lawyer. He was President of the Dominican Republic serving three non-consecutive terms for that office from 1960 to 1962, 1966 to 1978, and 1986 to 1996.
Joaquín Balaguer | |
|---|---|
Balaguer in 1966 | |
| President of the Dominican Republic | |
| In office 16 August 1986 – 16 August 1996 | |
| Vice President | Carlos Morales Troncoso Jacinto Peynado Garrigosa |
| Preceded by | Salvador Jorge Blanco |
| Succeeded by | Leonel Fernández |
| In office 1 July 1966 – 16 August 1978 | |
| Vice President | Francisco Augusto Lora Carlos Rafael Goico |
| Preceded by | Héctor García-Godoy |
| Succeeded by | Antonio Guzmán Fernández |
| In office 3 August 1960 – 16 January 1962 | |
| Vice President | Rafael Filiberto Bonnelly |
| Preceded by |
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| Succeeded by | Rafael Filiberto Bonnelly |
| Vice President of the Dominican Republic | |
| In office 16 August 1957 – 3 August 1960 | |
| President | Héctor Trujillo |
| Preceded by | Manuel Troncoso de la Concha |
| Succeeded by | Rafael Filiberto Bonnelly |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 September 1906 Bisonó, Dominican Republic |
| Died | 14 July 2002 (aged 95) Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
| Political party | Independent (1924–1966) Social Christian Reformist Party (1966–1996) |
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. 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.