Justo Rufino Barrios, as president of Guatemala…

Justo Rufino Barrios, as president of Guatemala from 1873, has instituted a number of reforms, including freedom of the press.

He has attacked the Catholic Church, limiting its power and confiscating its property.

Barrios has overseen substantial cleaning and rebuilding of Guatemala City, and set up a new and accountable police force.

He has brought the first telegraph lines and railroads to the Republic, established a system of public schools, and sponsored the development of the coffee industry.

In 1879, a constitution had been ratified for Guatemala (the Republic's first as an independent nation, as the old Conservador regime had ruled by decree).

In 1880, Barrios is reelected President for a six-year term.

Barrios unsuccessfully attempts to get the United States of America to mediate the disputed boundary between Guatemala and Mexico.