José Balta
José Balta y Montero (25 April 1814 – 26 July 1872) was a Peruvian soldier and politician who served as the 19th President of Peru from 1868 to 1872. He was the son of John Balta Bru and Agustina Montero Casafranca.
José Balta | |
|---|---|
| 19th President of Peru | |
| In office 2 August 1868 – 22 July 1872 | |
| Prime Minister | José Allende |
| Vice President | Mariano Herencia Zevallos Francisco Diez Canseco |
| Preceded by | Pedro Diez Canseco |
| Succeeded by | Tomás Gutiérrez |
| Prime Minister of Peru | |
| In office 2 August 1868 – 2 August 1871 | |
| Preceded by | Antonio Arenas |
| Succeeded by | José Allende |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 25 April 1814 Lima, Peru |
| Died | 26 July 1872 (aged 58) Lima, Peru |
In 1865, he aided Mariano Ignacio Prado in the seizure of the presidency and served in his administration. In 1867, he in turn overthrew Prado. As president, he re-established constitutional rule and undertook vast projects for national improvement. He granted a monopoly of guano export to a French company and obtained large loans in Europe, yet the lavish expenditures of his administration plunged Peru deep in debt. Balta was deposed and shot by a disgruntled member of his own cabinet, Defense Minister Tomás Gutiérrez during his subsequent coup d'état attempt.