Presidents of Central America

After gaining independence from Spain but before fracturing into the smaller nations we're familiar with today, Central America was, for a time, one united nation known as the Federal Republic of Central America. This nation lasted (roughly) from 1823 to 1840. The leader of this young nation was Honduran Francisco Morazan (1792-1842), a progressive general and landowner. Morazan is considered the "Simon Bolivar of Central America" because of his dream for a strong, united nation. Like Bolivar, Morazan was defeated by his political enemies and his dreams of a united Central America were destroyed.

After the fall of the Republic of Central America, the nations of Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica went their separate ways (Panama and Belize became nations later). In Guatemala, illiterate pig farmer Rafael Carrera (1815-1865) had been instrumental in the defeat of Morazan and thus became the first President of the new nation. He would eventually rule with uncontested power for over a quarter-century, becoming the first in a long line of powerful Central American dictators.

During the mid-nineteenth century, the United States of America was expanding. It won the American west during the Mexican-American war and successfully drew Texas away from Mexico as well. Other men tried to duplicate what had happened in Texas: taking over chaotic parts of the old Spanish Empire and then attempting to bring them into the United States. These men were called "filibusters." The greatest filibuster was William Walker (1824-1860), a lawyer, doctor and adventurer from Tennessee. He brought a small mercenary army to Nicaragua and by cleverly playing off rival factions became President of Nicaragua in 1856-1857.

Jose Santos Zelaya was President and Dictator of Nicaragua from 1893 to 1909. He left a mixed legacy of good and bad: he improved communication, commerce and education but ruled with an iron fist, jailing and murdering opponents and stifling free speech. He was also notorious for stirring up rebellion, strife and dissent in neighboring countries.

In the early 1930's, Nicaragua was a chaotic place. Anastasio Somoza Garcia, a failed businessman and politician, clawed his way to the top of Nicaragua's National Guard, a powerful police force. By 1936 he was able to seize power, which he held until his assassination in 1956. During his time as dictator, the Somozas ruled Nicaragua like their own private kingdom, stealing brazenly from state funds and blatantly taking over national industries. He founded the Somoza dynasty, which would last through his two sons until 1979. Despite the flagrant corruption, Somoza was always favored by the United States because of his unflinching anti-communism.