Gerardo Barrios

Who was Gerardo Barrios?

Gerardo Barrios was President of El Salvador 12 March 1859 - 26 October 1863.

Barrios was a liberal and supported the unity of Central America. He was, from a young age, part of the army of the last president of Federation of Central American Estates, Francisco Morazan. After his death he became the leader or the unionist movement. He served as president of El Salvador several times - in 1858, from 1859 to 1860 and again from 1861. He was known for his concern for international relations and is attributed for introducing coffee production to El Salvador, accelerating the spread through Central America. Coffee became the basis of El Salvador's economy.

Between 1860 and 1863, Barrios launched a reorganization of the public finances, promoted the coffee production and silk-elaboration related activities, he to created a professional armed force, and favored non-religious public education. In his first years of government he looked for a pacific convivance with Guatemala, which made him visit that country in 1860. However conflicts were not absent, especially with the church.

One of the first incidents was the expulsion of three capuccine religious.