Félix María Zuloaga

Félix María Zuloaga, born on March thirty-first, eighteen thirteen, was a prominent Mexican conservative general and politician. He played a pivotal role in the outbreak of the Reform War in early eighteen sixty, a conflict that would ultimately see him ascend to the presidency of Mexico. Zuloaga's presidency, however, was marked by his opposition to the liberal forces led by President Benito Juárez, who remained a formidable adversary throughout the war.

During the initial stages of the Reform War, Zuloaga's forces swiftly gained control over Mexico City and the central states, achieving victories in every major engagement during the first year. His military prowess even allowed him to temporarily capture Juárez and his entire cabinet. Despite these successes, the liberals maintained control over significant portions of the nation, particularly the strategic port of Veracruz, which remained a stronghold for Juárez.

In December eighteen fifty-eight, a moderate faction within the conservative ranks overthrew Zuloaga, seeking a compromise with Juárez. This led to Manuel Robles Pezuela assuming the presidency. However, the liberal government rejected any offers for reconciliation, prompting the conservatives to elect Miguel Miramón as the new president. Zuloaga, despite being ousted, endorsed Miramón's election and officially transferred the presidency to him.

Although Zuloaga remained somewhat active in Miramón's administration, he eventually withdrew from the political scene. After the war concluded, he attempted to reclaim the presidency amidst ongoing conservative guerrilla activity but was unsuccessful. Following this, Zuloaga left Mexico, only to return during the Second Mexican Empire. Unlike many of his conservative peers, he did not engage in political or military affairs during this period. After the Empire's fall in eighteen sixty-seven, Zuloaga was exiled to Cuba, eventually returning to civilian life in Mexico, where he lived until his death in eighteen ninety-five.