Ulises Heureaux

Ulises Hilarión Heureaux Leibert (Spanish: [uˈlises eˈɾo]; October 21, 1845 – July 26, 1899) nicknamed Lilís, was president of the Dominican Republic from September 1, 1882 to September 1, 1884, from January 6, 1887 to February 27, 1889 and again from April 30, 1889 maintaining power between his terms. Heureaux ruled the Dominican Republic as a dictator. During his rule, the Dominican Republic shifted its orientation from Europe and exports of tobacco and fine woods to orienting itself toward the United States and exporting sugar. He undertook some efforts to professionalize the civil service and modernize the military. He enriched himself during his rule, with blurry lines between his personal finances and those of the DR government. He was assassinated by Ramón Cáceres in 1899.