Correoso, Buenaventura (1831–1911)

A Panamanian military man, educator, and journalist, Correoso was one of the standard bearers of nineteenth-century Panamanian liberalism. From an early age he showed great interest in books and was encouraged to read by his family. He entered the Colombian Army Academy, where he soon demonstrated leadership abilities and gained the favor of such prominent military men as Generals Tomás Herrera, Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera, and Juan José Nieto. In 1856 he headed the investigation of the Watermelon Riot in Panama City, where a dispute between a white American and an Afro-Panamanian watermelon vendor led to a conflict between Americans and Panamanians in which seventeen people died.

Correoso was a populist leader, greatly admired by the lower classes. In 1868, with the support of the lower-class neighborhoods in the capital, he led a successful uprising against the government. He brought many reforms to the Federal State of Panama and enacted what was the first fiscal code in Panama. He was president three times (August 29, 1868, to April 1, 1872; acting from August 29 to October 1, 1868; January 1, 1878, to December 29, 1878). As president Correoso founded numerous schools and the first public library in the country. Correoso's public life also included serving as president of the Colombian Congress, consul general of Colombia in Peru, minister plenipotentiary to the Central American Republics, judge, and deputy to the National Congress.

According to the Panamanian historian Jorge Conte Porras, Correoso was a great orator who was able to attract the lower classes to his side. He knew how and when to interject humor into his speeches and engage his audience. It was owing to him that the Plaza de Santa Ana became the focal point of mass political concentrations well into the mid-twentieth century.

See alsoLiberalism; Watermelon Riot (Panama Riot).

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Castillero Reyes, Ernesto de Jesús. Historia de Panamá, 9th ed. Panamá: Editora Renovación, 1986.

Conte Porras, Jorge. Diccionario biográfico ilustrado de Panamó. 2nd ed. Panamó: Editorial Diego de Almagro, 1986.

Conte Porras, Jorge. Panameños ilustres. Panamá: Instituto Nacional de Cultura, 2004.

                                   Juan Manuel PÉrez