Flores, Juan José (1801–1864)

Ecuadorean general, president 1830–35 and 1839–45. Born in Venezuela, he joined Simón Bolívar's patriot army in his teens, and soon became one of its most trusted generals. Flores convoked the assembly declaring Ecuador's independence in 1830 and was elected its first constitutional president the same year. During his two terms in office Ecuador was an oasis of stability in Spanish America.

Flores refused to step down at the end of his second period of office 1843 and was deposed and fled the country 1845. An attempt to invade Ecuador from Peru 1852 failed, but he was later recalled as a military commander and ended Ecuador's civil war 1860.