Núñez, Rafael (1825–1894)

Colombian president 1880–82 and 1884–94, responsible for a new, authoritarian constitution in 1886. A doctrinaire Liberal in the 1850s, he held several government posts, and was a foreign diplomat 1863–74. During his terms in office he restored the church's influential position and tried to stimulate economic development with a protective tariff. He also established a central bank, and concluded a concordat with the Vatican in 1887.