Buenaventura Báez

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Buenaventura Báez Méndez (July 14, 1812–March 14, 1884) was the President of the Dominican Republic five times. He is notable for almost constantly attempting to have his country annexed by other countries.

In 1844 Báez helped to lead a successful rebellion against Haiti, which established the independence of the Dominican Republic. He went to Europe in 1846 to convince France to establish a protectorate over the Dominican Republic, but the French refused. As president for the first time, from 1849 until 1853, he attempted to convince the United States to take over the country. He was President again from 1856 until 1858, when he was deposed in a coup.

Báez next supported the idea of having the Dominican Republic be taken over by Spain. He went into exile in Spain and led a luxurious life there. The Spanish agreed to occupy the Dominican Republic in 1861, but by 1865 they had abandoned it. Báez then returned to the Dominican Republic and became President again until he was deposed in a coup in May 1866. He then served his longest term as President, from 1868 until 1874, in which he again attempted to have the United States annex his country. This time he was almost successful, as he convinced American President Ulysses S. Grant to send warships to the Dominican Republic, and drew up an annexation treaty which made it to the United States Senate floor. The treaty, however, was not ratified in the Senate, and it became an embarrassment for Grant.

Báez became President again from 1876 until 1878, when he was deposed in a final coup and sent into exile in Puerto Rico, which was then owned by Spain. He died in Puerto Rico.