Ramón Castilla y Marquesado, born on August 31, 1797, in Tarapacá (then part of the Viceroyalty of Peru), is one of the most influential political and military figures in Peruvian history. He served as the president of Peru multiple times, most notably from 1845 to 1851 and from 1855 to 1862. Castilla is often praised for modernizing the country, abolishing slavery, and introducing significant economic and social reforms.
Castilla began his military career by fighting in the Latin American Wars of Independence, alongside leaders like Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín. After independence, he rose through the military and political ranks, becoming a central figure in Peruvian affairs during the 1830s and 1840s. His role in the rebellion against the dictatorial regime of Manuel Ignacio de Vivanco in 1843 cemented his status as a prominent military and political leader.
His first presidential term (1845–1851) was marked by stability and reforms aimed at modernizing Peru’s economy. Castilla used the revenue from guano exports, a key natural resource at the time, to pay off the country's debt, finance infrastructure projects such as the construction of railroads and roads, and modernize the military. He is often regarded as the leader who brought economic and political stability after years of turmoil.
His second term (1855–1862) is especially notable for progressive social reforms. Castilla abolished slavery in 1854, emancipating thousands of Afro-Peruvian slaves. He also ended the "mita" system, a form of forced labor for indigenous populations inherited from the colonial era. Under his leadership, fiscal and administrative reforms were also introduced, including the modernization of tax collection systems and public finances.
In addition to his social and economic reforms, Castilla played a crucial role in consolidating Peru’s national unity and defending the country’s interests against foreign interference. However, his presidency was not without challenges, including internal conflicts with rival political factions and military challenges.
Castilla retired from active politics after his second term but briefly returned to the presidency in 1863 during a period of political unrest. He died in 1867 in Tiviliche, Tarapacá, while attempting to lead a rebellion against the incumbent government.
Ramón Castilla is widely regarded as one of Peru’s greatest leaders, not only for his reforms that modernized the country but also for his commitment to promoting freedom and equality, particularly through the abolition of slavery.