Fernando Chamorro Alfaro

Who was Fernando Chamorro Alfaro?

Fernando Chamorro Alfaro was a General and member of the governing junta of Nicaragua.

Fernando Chamorro was a firm supporter of the Conservative Party, which was dominated during his youth by his half-brother and guardian, Fruto Chamorro. When Fruto died in 1855, the Liberal Party attempted to take power and invited filibuster William Walker to support their cause. Civil war ensued. Fernando organized an army. As commanding general, he pledged his loyalty to the legitimate president José María Estrada, then in exile in Honduras. However, his forces were defeated in a battle with Walker's troops and they took refuge in Honduras.

Shortly thereafter, President Estrada returned from Honduras to Somotillo, Nicaragua where he installed his government. He immediately appointed Pedro Joaquín Chamorro Alfaro as General Minister and General Tomás Martínez Guerrero as Commander of the Army. General Fernando and his men returned from Honduras to join the government of Estrada. Subsequently, the two factions united in oppositionto the Walker incursion, and General Fernando was able to concentrate on fighting Americans and not Nicaraguans. His disposition of forces resulted in a victory over the Americans at San Jacinto Hacienda.