Venancio Flores - Second Presidency of Uruguay

Second Presidency of Uruguay

He established a provisional government, a term used to disguise his personal dictatorship. Although the Uruguayan Colorado Party has the reputation of being progressive and democratic, Flores and other Colorado Party leaders of the 19th century, and many prominent 20th century Colorado leaders, collectively demonstrated by their actions that they were comfortable with rule by decree, with power not unusually concentrated in very few people. The tendency of some observers to describe Latin American heads of state who ruled by decree as 'de facto' Presidents may be seen in this light. During his rule, Flores joined Brazil and Argentina in the devastating Paraguayan War.

Flores's government ended on February 15, 1868.