Carrera, Rafael

Carrera, Rafael (räfäel') [key], 1814–65, president of Guatemala, a caudillo. He led the revolution against the anticlerical liberal government of Guatemala, and his ultimate success in 1840 helped to destroy the Central American Federation. Illiterate and of mixed blood, he received unquestioned support from the indigenous population; a conservative devoted to the church, he recalled the Jesuits and restored the power of the church in the state. Until his death Carrera dominated Guatemala and was the most powerful figure in Central America, intervening to strengthen, restore, or install conservative governments in the other Central American countries.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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