Rafael Estrella Ureña, Dominican president, was born 137 years ago

On November 10, 1889, 137 years ago, Rafael Estrella Ureña was born in Santiago de los Caballeros. A lawyer and politician, he served as acting president of the Dominican Republic.

A committed lawyer

The son of Juana Antonia Ureña Estévez and Juan Bautista Estrella Durán, he studied law in Santo Domingo. Influenced by the ideas of Eugenio María d'Hostos, he opposed the government of Eladio Victoria and founded a reformist liberal party, which landed him in prison. In 1925, he created the Partido Republicano.

The alliance with Trujillo

He reached an understanding with Rafael Leónidas Trujillo, head of the armed forces. While Estrella Ureña's rebels marched on Santo Domingo, Trujillo kept his troops in their barracks. On March 3, 1930, Estrella Ureña was proclaimed acting president, after the fall of Horacio Vásquez. Trujillo then won the election and made him his vice president.

The break

In 1932, he resigned as vice president, as his relations with Trujillo had deteriorated. He died on May 25, 1945, from complications following surgery.