Arce, Manuel José

Arce, Manuel José (1786-1847), first president (1825-1829) of the United Provinces of Central America, formed by the five countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica that refused annexation by Mexico after liberation from Spain. He was born in San Salvador. Twice imprisoned for insurrection against the Spanish, Arce was appointed head of the Salvadorean army in 1821, and in 1825 he won the federation's presidency. He ruled first with liberal and then conservative support, but ended by pleasing none. He was deposed by Francisco Morazán in 1829 and fled to Mexico; from there he led two abortive revolts in 1831 and 1833. Following the demise of the federation (1839), he returned to El Salvador and campaigned unsuccessfully for the presidency of that country. Exiled in 1843 for leading yet another revolt, he finally returned to El Salvador in 1845.