Juan Manuel Cafferata

Who was Juan Manuel Cafferata?

Juan Manuel Cafferata was an Argentine politician of the National Autonomist Party. He was the governor of province of Santa Fe between 1890 and 1893.

Cafferata was born in Buenos Aires, the son of an immigrant businessman from Genoa, Italy, who had settled in Rosario. He studied law at the Jesuit's College of the Immaculate Conception in the city of Santa Fe. He then moved to Córdoba and became Doctor in Jurisprudence at the University of San Carlos. At this time he was also a member of the provincial Chamber of Deputies and of the Municipal Council of Córdoba.

He returned to Rosario after his graduation in 1881 to become the Political Chief of the city.

Cafferata was Minister of Government to governors Manuel María Zavalla, José Gálvez and his own successor Luciano Leiva. After Gálvez's rule he was elected to replace him. He was the governor of Santa Fe from 7 April 1890 until his resignation in August 1893.

During Cafferata's term, 17 colonies were founded in the province and many elementary schools were opened. He also saw the opening of the Salesian College of Arts and Crafts, now San José College, in Rosario, and the official inauguration of the Provincial University of Santa Fe, projected during his predecessor's rule. Facing a difficult economic situation, his government issued bonds without authorization of the Legislature to pay public employees' salaries.