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Juan Antonio Pezet, born on June 11, 1809, in Lima, was a Peruvian military and political figure who served as president of Peru from 1863 to 1865. His presidency is primarily marked by the handling of the conflict with Spain during the Chincha Islands incident, which led to major tensions in the country and ultimately to his overthrow.
Pezet was born into an influential family and began his military career at a young age, participating in Peru’s War of Independence. He later distinguished himself as an officer in various Peruvian civil wars throughout the 1830s and 1840s. His military experience and diplomatic skills led him to hold several government positions before being elected vice president under the administration of Miguel de San Román in 1862.
After San Román’s death in 1863, Pezet assumed the presidency as vice president, inheriting a diplomatic crisis with Spain, which was demanding financial compensation following an incident in the Chincha Islands, a region rich in guano, a vital resource for the Peruvian economy. In 1864, Spain occupied the Chincha Islands, an act seen as a potential attempt at recolonization. Rather than immediately responding with force, Pezet opted for a diplomatic approach and negotiated with Spain to avoid a full-scale war.
However, his decision to negotiate and sign a treaty, which many Peruvians and influential political and military figures—including Mariano Ignacio Prado—saw as humiliating, sparked a wave of national discontent. Pezet was criticized for his perceived lack of firmness in dealing with Spain, and this crisis ultimately led to his overthrow in 1865 by a military uprising led by Prado.
After his ousting, Pezet went into exile in the United Kingdom for several years before returning to Peru. He never held a major political role again after his return. He died in Chorrillos, Lima, on February 24, 1879.
Juan Antonio Pezet’s presidency remains controversial in Peruvian history. Some view him as a cautious statesman who sought to avoid a devastating war, while others see him as a weak president who failed to defend Peru’s interests in the face of foreign aggression.