Bernardino Caballero

Bernardino Caballero was a very important leader in Paraguay. He was a soldier and a politician. He lived from 1839 to 1912. He was born in a place called Ybycuí. His family had roots in Spanish nobility. He was the son of Jose Ramón Caballero de Anazco. His mother was Melchora Inés Melgarejo y Genés. He had a very large family. He had two wives. He also had 90 other children. All of them were formally recognized by him. Today, he has many descendants all over the world.

Caballero spent much of his life as a soldier. He joined the Paraguayan Army in 1864. This was during the Paraguayan War. He fought in the Mato Grosso Campaign. He worked as an assistant to President Francisco Solano López. Caballero stayed loyal to the president. He worked his way up the ranks. He eventually became a cavalry general. He was a great war hero. In 1870, Brazilian soldiers captured him near the Apa River. They released him in May 1871. He became friendly with the Brazilians while he was held. This friendship helped him later in his life.

After the war, Caballero moved into politics in Asunción. He joined a group of loyalists led by Cándido Bareiro. He took part in several revolts in 1873 and 1874. These fights were against Benigno Ferreira. After these events, Caballero held many government jobs. He served as the Interior minister. Later, he was the Minister of Justice, Worship and Education. He even traveled to London in 1874. He went there with Higinio Uriarte to talk about money loans. He helped make sure Cándido Bareiro became president after 1877.

Caballero became the President of Paraguay in 1880. This happened after a coup in September. He served as leader until November 1886. During his time, he made many new rules. He started a Civil Register to keep records. He founded the city of Villa Florida. He also created a department for immigration. In 1881, he helped start the Banco Nacional. He also helped start the Banco del Paraguay. To raise money, he sold land that belonged to the state.

Caballero remained a powerful man even after his presidency. He wanted his friend Patricio Escobar to win the next election. Because of this, his rivals started the Liberal Party. In September 1887, Caballero started the Colorado Party. This is still the largest political party in Paraguay today. He served in the Senate for many years. He was the president of the Senate in 1894 and 1902. He helped put Juan Antonio Escurra in power during a coup. Caballero died in Asunción in 1912. He is buried in the National Pantheon of the Heroes. A town in Paraguay is also named after him.