please note: the spanish version of this text contains additional information on the Liberal Party and the Thousand Days' War

His Early Life

Belisario Porras was born on November 28, 1856 in a small town called Las Tablas,  located in central Panama (see box). His father was Demetrio Porras Cavero, a Colombian lawyer named Prefect in the town of Las Tablas. During his tenure as Prefect he meets Belisario's mother, Juana Gumersinda Barahona.

Belisario Porras grows up under the care of his grandmother because of his parents' absence. His father Demetrio returns to Bogotá in 1858. His mother Gumersinda dies in 1869, when little Belisario was only four years old.

PANAMA IN 1856

Belisario was born in Las Tablas in 1856, when the Isthmus of Panama was nothing more than a province of Colombia. Panamanians would have to wait until 1903 to become independent from Colombian authority.

Education

Porras completes his primary studies in Las Tablas, and with his father's financial help he then travels to Bogotá, where he goes to the "Colegio San Bartolomé" secondary school.

In 1874 Porras enters the National University in Bogotá, where he studies Law. After obtaining his doctorate degree in Law and Political Sciences, he completes his studies in Belgium thanks to a scholarship from the Colombian government. 

After post-doctorate studies in Belgium, Porras returns to his native land, the Isthmus of Panama.

Political Career

Once back in Panama, Porras works part time as a journalist and links himself with the Liberal Party in the Isthmus. Because the Isthmus of Panama is still only a Colombian region at the time, political conflicts spill over from the capital of Bogota. The rise of a Conservative government in Bogota, hostile to Liberal ideas, leads to the persecution of Liberal Party leaders in the Isthmus. Because of persecution, Porras then leaves the Isthmus for Central America. During his exile, Porras lives in Nicaragua and El Salvador, where he works as a professor of Law and Geography. He also continues writing for the local press, and never loses touch with his Liberal Party friends.

In 1900, the Liberal Party leaderships asks Porras to lead an invasion of the Isthmus, and they name him Civil and Military leader of the Isthmus of Panama. In order to fight the Conservative government, Porras decides to invade the isthmus of Panama from west to east. He organizes a voluntary army, and his forces sweep from the western region of Chiriqui to the capital, Panama City. Historians claim this military campaign as Porras' true political debut, as his military victories increase his popularity among the people of the Isthmus.

Once Porras reaches Panama City, the Conservatives deal a considerable blow to his forces in the famous Battle of Calidonia Bridge. After this defeat, Porras returns to his exile in Central America and does not return to Panama until after its independence from Colombia in 1904.

Porras the President

In 1904 Porras returns to Panama, where he works as a government diplomat for many years. In 1912 he runs for President under the Liberal Party banner and wins by an overwhelming majority.

Porras serves as President for three terms:

• from 1912 until 1916
• from 1918 until 1920
• from 1920 until 1924

As president, Porras manages to consolidate and organize the political institutions of the new nation by authorizing the creation of National Legal Codes and the creation of a National Body of Law. In addition, Porras furthers regional integration by ordering the construction of transportation and communication facilities, such as the Chiriqui Railroad (1916).

Porras prioritizes health and sanitation during his terms as President. He founds the Santo Tomas public hospital, which still serves as one of the main public health facilities of the country. In order to finance the expansion of the health system, Porras nationalizes the National Lottery, and its proceeds are targeted for government health expenses even today.