Antonio Ezeta y León was a Salvadoran military officer and politician who served as the country's vice president from 1891 until his overthrow in 1894. He fled to the United States where he avoided extradition and made a failed attempt to invade El Salvador.
Rise to power
Antonio Ezeta y León's brother was Carlos Ezeta who overthrew President General Francisco Menéndez in June 1885. Ezeta commanded soldiers during the Totoposte War in July 1890. Ezeta was elected as his brother's vice president in the 1891 presidential election, assuming office on 1 March 1891. He was also appointed as commander-in-chief of the army.
Revolution of the 44 During the Revolution of the 44 of April to June 1894, Ezeta was injured by rebel forces on 3 May. He was replaced as commander-in-chief by General León Bolaños until 23 May when he recovered from his injuries. His brother fled the country on 4 June, upon which, he assumed office as acting president. He fled the country for the United States on 10 June, and General Rafael Antonio Gutiérrez became the country's provisional president.
Ezeta travelled to the US aboard the American warship Bennington. The new government, through minister Estanislao Pérez, attempted to halt his flight by appeal to U S Secretary of State Walter Q. Gresham for their extradition on charges of robbery, assassination and arson. Gresham refused on grounds that he did not recognise that a stable new government had formed and been recognised.
Extradition and attempted return By 2 July the new government had tried Ezeta in his absence and found him guilty and formally requested extradition. By August the Bennington had departed with Ezeta for San Francisco. Extradition was declined by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California on the grounds that the charges were judged to be political in nature which were excluded from the terms of the extradition treaty in place between the two countries.
Ezeta returned to El Salvador in January 1896, reportedly with 100 Mexican veterans and 60 Texan cowboys to attempt to restore himself to power. He failed to make a landing at San Salvador.
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