Eloy Alfaro (Alfaro Eloy)

(1842-1912)
In 1865 led an unsuccessful revolt against the dictator R. Garcia Moreno, and then emigrated to Panama, where he remained until the death of the dictator in 1875. For 20 years, organized the anti-government uprisings. In 1895, after the overthrow of President Luiz Cordero, People's Assembly proclaimed Alfaro, who was in exile, the supreme ruler. The elected president of Ecuador in 1897, Alfaro has a law on the separation of church and state, proclaimed freedom of conscience, allow civil marriages, introduced secular education. During his reign, was completed railroad Quito - Guayaquil. In foreign policy manifested itself as an adherent of the ideology of pan-Americanism. The president on Eloy Alfaro was replaced by the Plaza Gutierrez, and then the power was transferred to Lizardo Garcцґa. Alfaro made a coup d'. Shortly before the end of the second term as president, was overthrown in a military mutiny and left the country. Soon after he returned home, joined the uprising of the liberals, was captured and executed on January 28, 1912.