José Joaquín Pérez

In this Chilean name, the first or paternal surname is Pérez and the second or maternal family name is Mascayano.

José Joaquín Pérez
6th President of Chile
In office September 18, 1861 (1861-09-18) – September 18, 1871 (1871-09-18)
Preceded by	Manuel Montt
Succeeded by	Federico Errázuriz Zañartu
Personal details
Born	(1801-05-06)6 May 1801 Santiago, Chile
Died	1 July 1889(1889-07-01) (aged 88) Santiago, Chile
Political party	National
Spouse	Tránsito Flores de la Cavareda

José Joaquín Pérez Mascayano (Latin American Spanish: [xoˈse xo.aˈkim ˈpeɾes]; 6 May 1801 – 1 July 1889) was a Chilean lawyer, diplomat, and politician who served as President of Chile from 1861 to 1871. Born in Santiago to an aristocratic family, Pérez studied humanities at the Real Colegio Carolino and the Instituto Nacional before earning a law degree from the Royal University of San Felipe. His early career focused on diplomacy, serving as secretary of the Chilean legation in Washington, D.C. in 1826, chargé d'affaires in France in 1829, and representative to Buenos Aires in 1830.

Pérez entered politics as a Deputy for Aconcagua Province in 1826 and later held seats for Puchacay, Curicó, and Santiago. He also served as Minister of the Interior and Minister of Foreign Relations under President Manuel Bulnes. During his tenure as a Senator and State Councillor under Manuel Montt, Pérez remained neutral in political conflicts, positioning him as a unifying candidate for the presidency in 1861.

As president, Pérez's administration promoted reconciliation and reform. He enacted an amnesty law for political disputes from 1851 to 1861, allowed greater freedom of the press, and passed the Law of Freedom of Worship in 1865. His government oversaw key infrastructure projects, including the completion of the Valparaíso–Santiago railway, and addressed major national events, such as the fire at the Church of the Company of Jesus in 1863, which led to the establishment of the Santiago Fire Department. Pérez also signed the 1866 border treaty with Bolivia and conducted a national census, recording a population of over 1.8 million.

Re-elected in 1866, Pérez faced economic challenges due to debts incurred during the Chincha Islands War (1865–1866) against Spain. His second term included constitutional reforms, such as the prohibition of immediate presidential re-election, enacted shortly before he left office in 1871. Following his presidency, Pérez continued to serve in political roles, including as a Senator. He died in Santiago in 1889 at the age of 88.