Manuel de Regla Mota


Manuel de Regla Mota y Álvarez was a Dominican military figure and politician. He served as the 5th president of the Dominican Republic from May 26, 1856 until October 8, 1856. Prior to that he served as the country's vice president under Pedro Santana.

Political and military career

After the Dominican War of Independence, Mota was appointed Colonel of the National Militia. His duties as Colonel were to protect the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, which at the time were near San Cristóbal and Baní.
Mota's political and military career was always under the shadow of the caudillo, Pedro Santana. Mota was well liked by Santana and as such Mota served as Santana's Minister of War and Marine Affairs, and as Vice-President.

Provisional President

In May 1856, then Vice-President Mota assumed the Presidency, after the fallout between Santana and Antonio María de Segovia, the Spanish Consul of the time. Soon after Segovia caused Santana to relinquish his Presidency, he forced out Mota as well, in favor of Buenaventura Báez. The hostility between Segovia and Santana became so great that Santana had to flee. Soon afterwards Mota died, in May 1864.