Vásquez, Horacio

Vásquez, Horacio (ōrä`syō vä`skās), 1860–1936, president of the Dominican Republic (1899–1903, 1903–7, 1924–30). A dominating figure in the nation, even when out of office, Vásquez in his third term attempted to continue the material reforms begun during U.S. occupation (1916–24). In 1928 he requested Charles G. Dawes to head a commission to recommend badly needed fiscal changes. He adopted the commission's report, ousted many political henchmen, and extended his term, but was shortly overthrown and exiled by insurgents led by Rafael Trujillo Molina.