Agustín Morales Hernandez (1871-72) continues Melgarejo's ruling style, despite his promise of "more liberty and less government."
Morales is assassinated, however, by a nephew in 1873.
Two presidents with high integrity, Tomas Frias Ametller (1872-73) and General Adolfo Ballivian (1873-74), do not last long because of constant intrigues.
Under their rule, Bolivia opens the port of Mollendo in Peru, which reduces the country's isolation by connecting the Altiplano by train and steamship on Lake Titicaca to the Pacific Coast.
