Rivera, Joaquín (1796–1845)

Joaquín Rivera (b. 26 July 1796; d. 6 February 1845), head of state of Honduras (1833–1836). Born in Tegucigalpa, Rivera was elected head of state of Honduras in 1830 but declined the office because it was not the result of a popular election. Elected again in 1832, this time in a popular election, he accepted the position. Rivera concentrated on improving the educational system, reducing the debt, and developing commerce and industry. He was particularly concerned with maintaining the relationship between Honduras and the other members of the Central American Federation and was a close ally of Francisco Morazán. Rivera's term of office ended in 1836.

Rivera returned to private life but was forced to leave the country when his former "vice president" and main political detractor, Francisco Ferrera, rose to power. While in exile in El Salvador, Rivera aided Morazán in his efforts to restore the disintegrated Central American Federation. In 1844, Rivera was captured in Danlí while leading a rebellion against Ferrera. He was condemned to death and was executed.

See alsoCentral America, United Provinces of; Ferrera, Francisco.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Victor Caceres Lara, Gobernantes de Honduras en el siglo 19 (1978), pp. 29-37.

José Ángel Zúñiga Huete, Presidentes de Honduras, desde José Gregorio Tinoco de Contreras hasta José María Medina (1987), pp. 87-99.

Additional Bibliography

Durón, Rómulo E. Don Joaquín Rivera y su tiempo. Tegucigalpa: Ministerio de Educación Pública, 1965.

                                          Sara Fleming