Background
Felipe Horacio Vásquez Lajara was born on 22 October 1860 in Dominican Republic.
government official politician president
Felipe Horacio Vásquez Lajara was born on 22 October 1860 in Dominican Republic.
Vasquez served as president in 1899 and again in 1902-1903. Thereafter, his followers, the horacistas, constituted one of the country’s principal political factions.
The United States Marines occupied the Dominican Republic in 1916 and stayed until 1924. In elections preceding the Marines’ withdrawal, Horacio Vasquez was the victor. He had been one of the Dominican negotiators arranging the elections.
Vasquez died in exile.
Three times president, he presided over the most democratic government in that period, but paved the way for the advent of the totalitarian regime of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina.
Vasquez participated in the overthrow of the dictatorship of Ulises Heureaux, who was assassinated in 1899.
The government of Horacio Vasquez was one of the few administrations ot the first half of the twentieth century which was more or less democratic. However, when Vasquez attempted to extend his term, his opponents revolted and Trujillo emerged as the victor.
