Aníbal Pinto Garmendia(Latin American Spanish:[aˈniβalˈpinto];March 15, 1825 – June 9, 1884) was a Chilean political figure. He served as the president of Chile between 1876 and 1881.
Aníbal Pinto | |
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8thPresident of Chile | |
In office September 18, 1876 – September 18, 1881 | |
Preceded by | Federico Errázuriz Zañartu |
Succeeded by | Domingo Santa María |
Personal details | |
Born | Santiago,Chile | March 15, 1825
Died | June 9, 1884 Valparaíso,Chile | (aged 59)
Political party | Liberal |
Spouse | Delfina de la Cruz |
Signature | |
Early life
editHe was born inSantiago de Chile,the son of former Chilean president GeneralFrancisco Antonio Pintoand of Luisa Garmendia Aldurralde.[1]He completed his studies at the Colegio Argentino de Santiago and the Instituto Nacional.[2]At the age of 20, he joined the foreign service, and was posted as under-secretary to the Chilean Legation to the Holy See. He returned to Chile two years later, in 1850. Two years later, he was elected to the lower house of congress, and was reelected several times. Later, he became a Senator and, in 1861, was named Intendant of Concepción, position that he held for 10 years. There he marriedDelfina de la Cruz Zañartu,daughter of GeneralJosé María de la Cruz Prietoand Josefa Zañartu Trujillo.
In 1871, PresidentErrázuriznamed him minister of war and navy, and, from that position, became one of the contenders for the presidential nomination. He first defeatedMiguel Luis Amunáteguiin the liberal primaries, and laterBenjamín Vicuñain the presidential elections.
Administration
editHis government started under the weight of the worst Chilean economic crisis of the 19th century. This was made worse by the floods of 1876, that laid waste to the nascent infrastructure.An earthquake on May 9, 1877,completed the destruction. At this juncture, he declared the non-convertibility of the currency, a measure that prevented a run on the banks and saved the public credit, but caused him the enmity of the opposition.
In 1878, he namedViña del Maras a commune.
Nonetheless, the principal crisis of his administration was the outbreak of theWar of the Pacificwith Peru and Bolivia. He managed to successfully face the first onslaught, at the same time, achieving the all-important Argentinian neutrality. On July 23, 1881, he signeda treaty with Argentinarecognising Argentine sovereignty on easternPatagoniaandEastern Tierra del Fuegobut keeping theStrait of Magellanand western Tierra del Fuego under Chilean control.
He also managed to obtain the capture of Antofagasta and Tarapacá and used these territories as new sources of revenue to finance the rest of the war.
Later life
editAfter his retirement from politics, a debt that he had personally guaranteed forced him to sell all his property, having to move to a very modest house near Victoria square, in Valparaíso. Though he was offered the position of senator or different embassies in Europe, he decided to make do working as a translator for the railroad companies. He died inValparaísoin 1884.
References
edit- ^"Aníbal Pinto Garmendia"(in Spanish).Library of Congress of Chile.Retrieved2022-08-30.
- ^"Aníbal Pinto Garmendia"(in Spanish).University of Chile.Retrieved2022-08-30.
External links
edit- Aníbal PintoArchived2011-10-05 at theWayback Machine(in Spanish)