WikiPeru • The Encyclopedia of Peru
Miguel Iglesias Pino de Arce, born on June 11, 1830, in Cajamarca, was a Peruvian military and political figure known for his role during and after the War of the Pacific (1879–1884). He served as the president of Peru from 1882 to 1885 in extremely challenging circumstances, as the country was deeply divided due to Chilean occupation and internal conflicts.
Iglesias was born into an aristocratic family in Cajamarca and began his military career at a young age, participating in various Peruvian civil wars in the 1850s. However, it was during the War of the Pacific that he rose to prominence. After Lima was occupied by Chilean forces in 1881, Iglesias led the Peruvian resistance in the northern part of the country, but he is best known for his pragmatic stance in favor of negotiating a peace treaty with Chile. Faced with the growing devastation and the collapse of Peru’s economy, Iglesias believed that a quick peace was necessary to prevent the country’s complete destruction.
In 1882, Iglesias declared himself "Jefe Supremo" (Supreme Chief) of Peru in Cajamarca, consolidating power in the north and seeking to negotiate with Chile. His decision to pursue peace was highly controversial, as much of the Peruvian population, along with other military leaders like Andrés Avelino Cáceres, were determined to continue the war. Nevertheless, Iglesias succeeded in signing the Treaty of Ancón in 1883, which ended the War of the Pacific but at the cost of ceding the province of Tarapacá to Chile.
Miguel Iglesias’ presidency was marked by extreme difficulty, as the country remained divided between pro-peace and pro-war factions. His government never fully restored national unity, and in 1885, he was overthrown by a revolt led by Andrés Avelino Cáceres, who saw Iglesias as a traitor for signing peace with Chile.
After his fall from power, Iglesias retired from active political life and returned to Cajamarca. He died on November 7, 1909. His legacy remains controversial: to some, he is viewed as a pragmatist who saved the country from further destruction, while to others, he is a symbol of surrender and the territorial losses Peru suffered to Chile.