WikiPeru • The Encyclopedia of Peru
Francisco García Calderón Landa, born on April 2, 1834, in Arequipa, was a Peruvian political and legal figure who briefly served as provisional president of Peru in 1881 during the Chilean occupation of the War of the Pacific (1879–1884). His presidency is most notable for his attempt to negotiate peace with Chile and his refusal to cede Peruvian territory, which led to his imprisonment by Chilean forces.
A lawyer by training, García Calderón became a respected figure in Peru’s academic and legal circles before becoming involved in politics. When the War of the Pacific broke out, Peru was quickly invaded by Chilean forces, and by 1881, Lima had fallen under Chilean occupation. Amid this national crisis, García Calderón was appointed provisional president by a national assembly in Chorrillos, with the task of negotiating peace.
However, the negotiations proved extremely challenging. García Calderón took a firm stance, refusing to cede the Tarapacá region and other territories claimed by Chile. His refusal to submit to Chilean demands led to his arrest by Chilean authorities in September 1881. He was imprisoned in Valparaíso, Chile, and later transferred to Santiago, where he spent more than two years in captivity. His imprisonment made him a symbol of resistance and honor for many Peruvians.
During his detention, Peru continued to seek a resolution to the war, and eventually, in 1883, Miguel Iglesias, who had taken power at the head of a rival government, signed the Treaty of Ancón, agreeing to cede Tarapacá to Chile. This treaty officially ended the War of the Pacific.
After his release, García Calderón returned to Peru, but he did not hold any major political office again. He remained active in academic life and continued to work as a respected lawyer and scholar. He died in Lima on September 21, 1905.
García Calderón is often regarded as a symbol of Peruvian dignity and resistance in the face of foreign aggression. Although his role as provisional president was brief and marked by difficult circumstances, he is respected for his refusal to surrender Peruvian territory, even at the cost of his own freedom.