Seven individuals hold or claim national, regional,…

Seven individuals hold or claim national, regional, or interim leadership in the Dominican Republic during the four years between Baéz's final withdrawal and Heureaux's ascension to the presidency
Among them are Ignacio Maria Gonzalez Santin, who holds the presidency from June to September 1878; Luperón, who governs from Puerto Plata as provisional president from October 1879 to August 1880; and Merino, who assumes office in September 1880 after apparently fraudulent general elections.

Heureaux serves as minister of interior under Merino; his behind-the-scenes influence on the rest of the cabinet apparently exceeds that of the president.

Although Merino briefly suspends constitutional procedures in response to unrest fomented by some remaining baecistas, he abides by the two-year term established under Luperón and turns the reins of government over to Heureaux on September 1, 1882.