Background
Braulio Carrillo Colina was born in Cartago on 20 March 1800.
Braulio Carrillo Colina was born in Cartago on 20 March 1800.
He had been governor of the Costa Rican province in 1835-1837, but during his second term, 1838-1842, he led Costa Rica’s secession from the Central American Federation. He encountered stiff opposition, ranging from the traditional elites who regarded independence as a threat to their privileged po¬sition, to the peasants who preferred colonial rule because it was remote and unintrusive. Although described as liberal and progressive, Carrillo used frankly dictatorial methods.
However, when he declared himself President for Life in 1841, he alienated even the Liberals who had supported his policies. He was overthrown in 1842 by a coalition under the leadership of the former president of the Central American Federation, Francisco Morazán. Carrillo fled to El Salvador, where he was subsequently murdered.