Pedro Santana

Pedro Santana was a prominent figure in the Dominican Republic's tumultuous post-independence period. He served as a dictator and president multiple times between 1844 and 1864. Santana's leadership was marked by his efforts to defend the country against Haitian attacks, but his administration's heavy military spending led to national bankruptcy. In 1861, he invited Spain to reclaim the Dominican Republic as a colony, appointing himself governor-general. This act led to his discredit as a traitor, and Spain eventually withdrew its troops after a brief occupation. Santana's actions, along with those of another caudillo, Buenaventura Báez, hindered the growth of democracy in the Dominican Republic.12