Carlos Antonio López (politician)
| Carlos Antonio López | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 1st President of Paraguay | |
|
In office March 13, 1844 – September 10, 1862 |
|
| Vice President |
Mariano González (1844–1854) Francisco Solano López (1854–1862) |
| Preceded by | himself as Consul |
| Succeeded by | Francisco Solano López |
| Consul of Paraguay | |
|
In office March 12, 1841 – March 13, 1844 |
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| Preceded by | Mariano Roque Alonso |
| Succeeded by | himself as President |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 4, 1792 Asunción, Paraguay (Then part of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata) |
| Died | September 10, 1862 (aged 69) Asunción, Paraguay |
| Political party | None |
| Spouse(s) | Juana Pabla Carrillo |
| Children |
Francisco Venancio Benigno Rafaela Inocencia |
Carlos Antonio López Ynsfrán (November 4, 1792 – September 10, 1862) served as leader of Paraguay from 1841 to 1862.
López was born at Manorá (Asunción) on November 4, 1792, and was educated in the ecclesiastical seminary of that city. He attracted the hostility of the dictator José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia – his reputed uncle, which caused him to go into hiding for several years.
He served briefly as secretary of the military junta that ruled the country from 1840 to 1841, following the death of José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia. In 1841 he was chosen as the country's first consul—a post equivalent to that of president—ruling alongside Mariano Roque Alonso. In 1844, he exiled Roque and assumed dictatorial powers. On March 13, 1844, Congress approved the first Paraguayan Constitution – probably the work of López himself. A few months later, Congress changed his post from consul to president, and elected him to the new post for a 10-year term. He was reelected for a three-year term in 1854, and then reelected in successive elections for ten and three years, and in 1857 again for ten years, with power to nominate his own successor.
His government was directed towards developing Paraguay's primary resource extraction and strengthening Paraguay's armed forces. He contracted numerous foreign technicians, mainly English, and built up the formidable Fortress of Humaitá.
His approach to foreign affairs several times involved him in diplomatic disputes with the Empire of Brazil, the United States and the British Empire, which nearly resulted in war. His government was somewhat more tolerant of opposition than that of Francia. He released all political prisoners soon after taking full power, and also took measures to abolish slavery.
His eldest son, Francisco Solano López (1827–1870), succeeded him as president following his death. A barrio of Asuncion is named after him.
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Wikipedia