Historical Figures

Remigio Morales Bermudez

Remigio Morales Bermudez He was President of the Republic. He was born in Pica (Taparacá) on October 1, 1836. He was the son of Manuel Morales y Vera and Catalina Bermúdez y Soto-Alciato. He did his school studies in Tarapacá and seemed destined to help his father in the attention of his saltpeter business. However, in 1854 he decided to embrace a military career, joining the army at the beginning of the Castilian revolution against Echenique. After the triumph in La Palma (January 5, 1855) and given his distinguished performance in battle, he was promoted to the rank of captain. He then joined the "Arequipa" battalion that on the occasion of the restoration revolution, entered Lima in April 1865 and assaulted the government palace . Already as sergeant major he went to Chiclayo in 1868 to combat the uprising led by Colonel José Balta against the government of General Mariano Ignacio Prado. Triumphant, Remigio Morales Bermúdez was assigned to serve in Loreto and, later, under the government of Manuel Pardo, he went to Trujillo as commander of the gendarmes battalion, having to perform the sub-prefecture. When war was declared with Chile, he was assigned to the south, participating in the taking of Pisagua (November 2, 1879) and in the battles of San Francisco (November 19) and Tarapacá (November 27, 1879) . He was also in the battle of Alto de la Alianza (May 26, 1880) and, when Lima was occupied, he appeared before Nicolás de Piérola in Ayacucho (July 1881). Already holding the rank of colonel, he joined the resistance, led by General Andrés Avelino Cáceres; first as prefect of Ayacucho, activating the mobilization of forces and resources, and then in the military operations that culminated in the battle of Huamachuco (July 10, 1883). After the signing of the Treaty of Ancón, he fought in Canta against the forces of General Miguel Iglesias, promoting the occupation of Lima by General Cáceres. Chosen as president, he appointed Remigio Morales Bermúdez to occupy the first vice presidency (1886-1890). After the eventful government of Cáceres, elections were called. Civilism launched the candidacy of Francisco Rosas and constitutionalism entrusted Remigio Morales Bermúdez with the task of continuing the work of Cáceres. Elected President of the Republic for the period 1890-1894 , he initiated a discreet government. During his management, the deadline for the retention by Chile of the provinces of Tacna and Arica was met. The plebiscite contemplated in the Treaty of Ancón could not be carried out due to the delay of the Chilean government in bringing the negotiations to a successful conclusion. On the other hand, laws were enacted to protect industry and commerce, the Pichis penetration road was inaugurated and mining engineering was promoted. Remigio Morales Bermúdez died before the end of his mandate on April 1, 1894 , followed by a bloody civil war for the succession in power.