Ramón Castilla begins third term as President of Peru

Background. Ramón Castilla, a Peruvian caudillo, had previously served as president from 1845 to 1851. In 1854, he led a rebellion from Arequipa, largely urged by other Peruvian liberals to help in the suppression of slavery in the country. On 3 December 1854, during his second term, an abolition of slavery law was passed in the city of Huancayo. As this law was being applied, Castilla confronted and defeated Echenique in the Battle of La Palma on 5 January 1855.

Political Circumstances. The assumption of power was not immediate but followed a military victory. Castilla defeated Manuel Echenique in the Battle of La Palma on 5 January 1855. This victory allowed him to assume control. The legitimacy of his position was subsequently formalized by the National Convention, which convened in July 1855 to ratify him as Provisional President, reflecting the transitional nature of his authority at the time.