Manuel Francisco Pavón Aycinena

Manuel Francisco Pavón Aycinena (January 30, 1798 – April 19, 1855) was a conservative Guatemalan politician during the regime of General Rafael Carrera. He was influential in the founding of the government's executive branch and held several Cabinet offices during his career.

Biography

Pavón Aycinena attended the Pontifical University of San Carlos Borromeo and participated in the war against Francisco Morazán under the command of the Governor of Guatemala, Mariano de Aycinena y Piñol as Lieutenant Colonel in the army. After his defeat, Aycinena was banished by Morazan. In his exile, Aycinena lived in Panama and the United States. He returned to Guatemala in 1837 when Rafael Carrera came to power.

Role in Rafael Carrera's government

Carrera Theater

On August 6, 1832, Guatemalan Governor Mariano Gálvez issued a decree to build a theater in the middle of Plaza Vieja. However, due to ongoing political turmoil, this theater was not constructed during Galvez's rule.

In 1852, Juan Matheu and Pavón Aycinena presented Rafael Carrera with a plan to build the Carrera Theater.

Carrera declared President for life

Shortly after Carrera became President in 1851, Pavón Aycinena began suffering from intestinal problems. On May 5, 1853, he became so ill that was put in a hospice, though he briefly recovered.

On May 7, 1855, Carrera commanded that a portrait of Pavón Aycinena be placed in the main room of the Presidential Palace. Carrera also granted Pavón Aycinena's widow a lifelong pension equivalent to half of her deceased husband's income, —the largest pension ever granted in Guatemala up to that point.