"Pedro Molina" redirects here. For the Nicaraguan political cartoonist, see Pedro X. Molina.
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Molina and the second or maternal family name is Mazariegos.
Pedro José Antonio Molina Mazariegos (April 29, 1777, Guatemala — September 21, 1854) was a Central American politician, considered one of the founders of liberalism in Guatemala.
Career
At the head of a party named Los Cacos (The Thieves), he fought for the independence of Central America from Spain. Los Cacos were opposed by Los Serviles (The Slaves).
He was a physician and a journalist. He founded El Editor Constitucional (later known as El Genio de la Libertad) on July 24, 1820. On March 10, 1848 he founded El Album Republicano. Because of his vocal opposition to the government, he was held for a time incommunicado in the Castle of San José.
From July 10, 1823 to October 4, 1823 he served on the first executive triumvirate of the newly independent Federal Republic of Central America, and was the triumvirate's first president. Later, he was president of the states of Guatemala (August 23, 1829 to February 10, 1831) and Los Altos (December 28, 1838 to January 27, 1840) within the federation.