Bertrand, Francisco (1866–1926)

Francisco Bertrand (b. 1866; d. 1926), president of Honduras. Francisco Bertrand served as president of Honduras three times between 1911 and 1919. Through a policy of reconciliation and control, he imposed order on Honduras's traditionally unstable political system. His first term, 28 March 1911 to 31 January 1912, arose out of an agreement between the government of General Miguel Dávila and rebels led by General Manuel Bonilla. Under the Tacoma Pact of 1911, these parties agreed to end hostilities. Bertrand was appointed provisional president and oversaw elections that Bonilla won without opposition. In the succeeding administration, Bertrand became secretary of government and justice, and later vice president. Following Bonilla's death in 1913, Bertrand served as interim president from 20 March 1913 to 28 July 1915. Six months before the end of his presidency, he resigned to campaign for a third term. His third term, from 1 February 1916 to 9 September 1919, was one of relative stability. Bertrand's attempt to impose his own successor, however, led to a rebellion and a return to political chaos. On 9 September 1919, Bertrand resigned from office and left the country.

See alsoHondurasxml .

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lucas Paredes, Drama político de Honduras (1958), esp. pp. 241-268.

Raúl Arturo Pagoaga, Honduras y sus gobernantes (1979), esp. pp. 46-49.

                                          Peter A. Szok