was
President of
Costa Rica from 1849 to 1859.
He first assumed the presidency following
José María Castro Madriz 's resignation and was subsequently reelected in 1853 and 1859.
In 1856 he led his country's forces in
Central America 's war against
William Walker and his
Filibuster regime in
Nicaragua . In spite of earning acclaim as a national hero for his efforts in that endeavor, he was overthrown in a
Coup D'état in August 1859. He fled to
El Salvador , where his supporters convinced him to launch an attack on Costa Rica and recoup the presidency. After initial victories, in which he succeeded in seizing the port of
Puntarenas , he was defeated, captured, and, on
30 September 1860 , brought before a
Firing Squad .
