Pacheco, Gregorio (1823–1899)

Gregorio Pacheco (b. 4 July 1823; d. 20 August 1899), president of Bolivia (1884–1888). Born in Livilivi, Potosí, Pacheco was a merchant who invested in silver mines and later became one of the wealthiest mine owners in the country. He was the first civilian president during the Conservative era (1880–1899), when the southern silver-mining oligarchy, based in Sucre, controlled the destiny of Bolivia. Although he ran on the ticket of the Democratic Party, the Conservative Party's Mariano Baptista became vice president, and Pacheco's organization was later absorbed by Baptista's party. Pacheco's term was unusual for its political tranquility, with no major uprising during his term. Pacheco signed a truce with the Chileans after taking office, officially ending the War of the Pacific. During his tenure, efforts were made to guard the nation's eastern frontiers, and Puerto Pacheco was founded on the Paraguay River. After his presidency, Pacheco returned to managing his silver mines and haciendas, dying just when silver mining had become unprofitable.

See alsoBaptista, Mariano; Bolivia: Since 1825.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Jaime Mendoza, Figuras del pasado: Gregorio Pacheco (rasgos biográficos) (1924), is still the definitive treatment. See also Herbert S. Klein, Parties and Political Change in Bolivia: 1880–1952 (1969), pp. 19-24, for the political context.

Additional Bibliography

Baptista Gumucio, Mariano. Chile-Bolivia: La agenda inconclusa. Santiago, Chile: LOM Ediciones, 1999.

Platt, Tristán. Historias unidas, memorias escondidas: Las empresas mineras de los hermanos Ortíz y la construcción de las elites nacionales: Salta y Potosí, 1800–1880. Sucre, Bolivia: Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar, 1998.

                                         Erick D. Langer