José Manuel Emiliano Balmaceda Fernández was elected president by a coalition of more liberal political parties in 1886. His election was actively opposed by Conservatives. He was one of the most controversial figures in the history of Chile.

As president, he had some achievements like the advancement of public education and health. Thousand kilometers of new railroad lines were constructed under Balmaceda, including the Chilean portion of the Trans-Andean Railway between Chile and Argentina. He also promoted the colonization of the southern territories in Chile and modernized the army.

The Congress in Chile had been gaining power, and Balmaceda believed in a strong presidential power. So he attempted to prevent the Congress from limiting presidential powers even more. The press turned against Balmaceda, and in 1891, this conflict between president and congress became a civil war. Congress obtained support from the navy, and in eight months defeated Balmaceda’s forces.

Balmaceda took refuge at the Argentinian embassy and committed suicide on September 19, 1891.

Jose Manuel Balmaceda was born on July 4, 1840 to a wealthy family of Basque origin. They were members of the Castilian-Basque aristocracy in Chile. He was the first of twelve children. He went to school in 1849 at the Sagrados Corazones (French Friars). He seriously considered becoming a priest and studied theology at the Santiago Seminary. But later, in 1864, he started in politics by becoming the secretary of Manuel Montt who later become President of Chile.

He was a good writer and speaker. He periodically contributed articles to several prestigious journals and founded a newspaper called La Libertad (Freedom). He was a member of a club that started the Liberal Party in Chile. He was a representative in Congress for many years and then a Senator before being elected as President. (“José Manuel Balmaceda (1840-1891) – Memoria Chilena,” n.d.)

His tragic death left his wife Emilia Toro Herrera, who was a great grand daughter of the count Mateo de Toro Zambrano, and eight children.

On September 18, 1810, Mateo de Toro Zambrano, who was the Royal Governor and Captain General of Chile under the Spanish ruler, called a meeting of leading citizens. This group elected a governing junta to replace the Spanish dominance. This meeting is considered as the first step in Chilean independence process and gave origin to the official Independence Day in Chile, September 18, 1810.

In 1949, Chile created a park with the name of Balmaceda, and a statue of Jose Manuel Balmaceda, done by the famous Chilean sculptor Samuel Román, was placed in the Park.