The department of Loreto at the turn of the century: the discourse of former special commissioner and prefect Rafael Quirós (1899)

Keywords: Loreto, Rafael Quiros, Progressivism, Nationalism, Centralism, Integration, Modernization

Abstract

This research analyzes the conference on the department of Loreto given by the former special commissioner of the central government and prefect in that region, Rafael Quirós, at the Geographic Society of Lima (SGL) towards the end of 1899. The official’s language reveals his progressive, nationalist and centralist vision regarding the politics, economy and administration of the department. Quirós understood that it was urgent to integrate Loreto into the control of the central government in order to ensure its nationalization and, consequently, contribute to the modernization of Peru. He suggested suspending the law that granted a privileged status to Loreto and treating it like the rest of the regions. The article is approached from two perspectives: the history of political discourse, analyzing the conjunction of functions, interests and narrative of a public official about his field of work; and from the Amazonian history for its geographic space.

Author Biography

Ana Esther Laya Alcedo, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima

Licenciada en historia por la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima. Actualmente labora
en la Autoridad de Transporte Urbano para Lima y Callao

Published
2025-04-08
How to Cite
Laya AlcedoA. E. (2025). The department of Loreto at the turn of the century: the discourse of former special commissioner and prefect Rafael Quirós (1899). Revista Del Archivo General De La Nación, 39(1), 25-48. https://doi.org/10.37840/ragn.v39i1.166
Section
Artículos Originales