Biography of Joaquín Balaguer, the Dominican caudillo who marked the 20th century

Joaquín Antonio Balaguer Ricardo (September 1, 1906 – July 14, 2002) was an influential Dominican politician, writer, and statesman. He held the presidency of the Dominican Republic in three different periods: 1960-1962, 1966-1978, and 1986-1996, being the leader with the most years in power during the 20th century. Considered an enigmatic figure, he combined poetry with authoritarian politics, leaving an indelible mark on Dominican history.

Who was Joaquín Balaguer?

Born in Bisonó (then Navarrete), Santiago, Balaguer grew up in a modest home. Son of the Puerto Rican Joaquín Balaguer Lespier and Carmen Celia Ricardo Heureaux, he had a strong inclination towards literature from a young age. He graduated in law from the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo and studied briefly at the University of Paris. His intellectual vocation led him to write poetry and essays from a very young age, as well as working as a journalist.

Political Ascent Under Trujillo's Dictatorship

During the era of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo, Balaguer held various diplomatic and ministerial positions. He was considered an effective collaborator of the regime, although he maintained a reserved and non-confrontational style. His relationship with the dictator allowed him to climb the ranks until he was appointed vice president in 1957 and president in 1960, under Trujillo's absolute control.

First Presidential Term (1960-1962)

After Trujillo's death in 1961, Balaguer tried to liberalize certain policies of the regime, but was rejected by civilian and military sectors. In 1962, he was overthrown and forced into exile in New York.

Foundation of the Reformist Party and Return to Power

In 1964, Joaquín Balaguer founded the Reformist Party and returned to the country to participate in the 1966 elections, amidst a Civil War and American military occupation. Balaguer won the presidency, beginning his most controversial period: the twelve years.

The Twelve Years (1966-1978): Authoritarianism and Public Works

During this long term, Balaguer promoted a strong public works program: dams, roads, schools, and hospitals. However, his government was marked by reports of political repression, forced disappearances, and assassinations of opponents. Human rights organizations documented hundreds of victims. Paramilitary groups such as La Banda Colorá operated with impunity.

The eighties and nineties: the final ten years (1986-1996)

Joaquín Balaguer returned to power in 1986, already elderly and partially blind. His style of government was more tolerant, but he maintained firm control of the State. He continued with large projects such as the Columbus Lighthouse, inaugurated in 1992 along with Pope John Paul II. The 1990 and 1994 elections were surrounded by accusations of fraud, especially those of 1994, when he defeated Peña Gómez in one of the most tense contests of the century.

End of his political life and final years

Following the "Pact for Democracy" of 1994, it was agreed that Balaguer would not seek a new term. However, he ran in 2000, at the age of 94, obtaining a surprising third place. He died on July 14, 2002, in Santo Domingo.

Personal Life

Hermetic in his intimate life, Balaguer never married nor officially recognized children. Several unrecognized descendants are attributed to him. He lived in the same house for more than 50 years and maintained an austere image, although surrounded by myths.

Political and Social Legacy

Joaquín Balaguer left a dual legacy: on the one hand, he is remembered for the development of national infrastructure, and on the other, for serious human rights violations. He was a master of clientelism and political rhetoric, known for phrases like "The good is not changed" and "While Balaguer breathes, let no one aspire." Even today, his figure generates intense debates in Dominican society.

Joaquín Balaguer as a Writer

In addition to being a politician, Balaguer was a prolific writer. He published more than 70 works including poetry, historical essays, and speeches. Some of his outstanding works are Memoirs of a Courtier of the Trujillo Era, The Enchained Word, The Island Upside Down and The Sentinel of the Border.

Awards and Decorations of Joaquín Balaguer

• National Literature Award (1990)
• Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (1953 and 1976)
• Other national and international distinctions

Campaign phrases and slogans of Joaquín Balaguer

• "Don't change what's good"
• "Four more years and then we'll talk"
• "And Balaguer keeps coming back"
• "You will know them by their fruits"

Literary Works by Joaquín Balaguer

• Pagan Psalms (1922)
• Moonlight (1922)
• Lyrical Thebaid (1924)
• Castilian Metrics (1930)
• Heredia: verb of freedom, 1939; second edition in 1945.
• Blue in the Puddles (1941)
• The Dominican Reality (1941). Second edition with the title Dominican Reality: semblance of a country and a regime (1947)
• The Trujillo-Hull Treaty and the Financial Liberation of the Dominican Republic (1941)
• Trujillo's International Politics (1941)
• Emotional Guide to the Romantic City (1944)
• Dominican Letters (1944)
• Words with Rhythmic Accents (1946)
• Words with Two Rhythmic Accents (1946)
• The Foremost Writers (1947)
• Literary Profiles (1948)
• Concerning a Supposed Prosodic Vice of Hispanic American Poets (1949)
• Dominican Literature (1950)
• The Christ of Freedom (1950)
• Federico García Godoy, Anthology (1951)
• Federico García Godoy (1951)
• The Principle of Alternation in Dominican History (1952)
• Décimas, prologue and compilation (1953)
• Consideration about the production and investment of our taxes (1953)
• Notes for a prosodic history of the Castilian metric (1954)
• The Living Thought of Trujillo (1955)
• History of Dominican Literature (1956)
• Panegyric Speeches: Politics and International Political Education (1957)
• Christopher Columbus: Literary Precursor (1958)
• The Sentinel of the Border. Life and deeds of Antonio Duvergé (1962)
• Life and deeds of Antonio Duvergé (1962)
• The Sentinel of the Border (1962)
• Reformism: political philosophy of the revolution without blood (1966)
• Mission of intellectuals. Speeches. (1967)
• With God, with the homeland and with the freedom of speech (1971)
• Debellated Conspiracy of Discourse (1971)
• Before my mother's tomb (1972)
• Educational themes and diplomatic activities (1973)
• The March to the Capitol (1973)
• Speeches. Historical and literary themes (1973)
• Educational themes and diplomatic activities (1973)
• Illuminated Crosses (1974)
• The Chained Word (1975)
• Criticism and Interpretation (1975)
• The Crystal Cross (1976)
• Selected Speeches (1977)
• Speech at the unveiling of the statue of the poet Fabio Fiallo (1977)
• Criticism and Interpretation (1977)
• Pedestals. Historical Speeches (1979)
• Sealed Orchard: verses of youth (1980)
• Messages to the Dominican People (1983)
• Between the blood of May 30 and that of April 24 (1983)
• The Island Upside Down (1983 and 1995)
• Heroic Gallery (1984)
• The Carpenters (1984)
• The Transparent Veil (1987)
• Memoirs of a Courtier of the Trujillo Era (1988)
• Romance of the Wanderer Without Destiny, Enrique Blanco (1990)
• Silent Voice (1992)
• Back to the Capitol (1986-1992) (1993)
• Girl with Sex (1995)
• Me and my classmates (1996)
• Infinite Spain (1997)
• Eternal Greece (1999)
• The English Race (2000).

Technical Sheet of Joaquín Balaguer

• Full name: Joaquín Antonio Balaguer Ricardo
• Date of birth: September 1, 1906
• Place of birth: Navarrete (current Villa Bisonó), Santiago Province, Dominican Republic
• Date of death: July 14, 2002
• Place of death: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
• Age at death: 95 years
• Profession: Politician, lawyer, writer, poet, essayist
• Political parties:
  • Dominican Party (Trujillo era)
  • Reformist Party
  • Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC)
• Political Positions:
  • President of the Dominican Republic (1960–1962, 1966–1978, 1986–1996)
  • Vice President of the Dominican Republic (1957–1960)
  • Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
  • Secretary of Education
  • Ambassador to Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico
• Education:
  • Bachelor of Laws – Autonomous University of Santo Domingo
  • Studies at the University of Paris (La Sorbonne)
• Most Notable Works:
  • Memoirs of a Courtier in the Trujillo Era
  • The Island Upside Down
  • The Sentinel of the Border
  • The Chained Word
  • The Transparent Blindfold
• Awards and recognitions:
  • National Literature Award (1990)
  • Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic
• Popular Alias: The Doctor
• Personal characteristics: Single, blind in his later years, enigmatic figure, hermetic private life
• Family relations: Son of Joaquín Balaguer Lespier and Carmen Celia Ricardo Heureaux
• Relationship with dictators:
  • Close collaborator of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo
  • Relative of Ulises Heureaux (Lilís)
• Legacy: Key figure in 20th-century Dominican politics. A mix of infrastructural development, political clientelism, and accusations of human rights violations
• Most remembered political slogan: “What is good is not changed”

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