Gerardo Barrios (September 24 1813 – August 29 1865), was President of El Salvador 12 March 1859 - 26 October 1863. Barrios was a liberal and supported the unity of Central America. He served as president of El Salvador several times - in 1858, from 1859 to 1860 and again from 1861. He was known to be very concerned about international relations and generally saw himself beset with enemies. His final downfall came In 1863 when he supported an unsuccessful rebellion against the conservative government of Nicaragua and in revenge the Nicaraguan government supported those who were rebelling against Barrios. Barrios was forced to leave the country by ship, but his ship sank in a storm and he was forced to go ashore in Nicaragua, where he was captured, handed over to the new El Salvadorian government and executed.
| Preceded by José María Peralta (acting) |
President of El Salvador 1859–1863 |
Succeeded by Francisco Dueñas |
