Narciso Campero Leyes (29 October 1813 – 12 August 1896) was a Bolivian general and politician who served as the 20th president of Bolivia from 1880 to 1884. The Narciso Campero Province was named after him. Early life and family The Campero family A descendant of the holders of the Marquisate of Yavi and Valle de Tojo, he was the son of Felipe Campero, son of the third marquis Juan José Gervasio Fernández Camperon, and Florencia Leyes. Therefore, he was the nephew of Colonel of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata, Juan José Feliciano Fernández Campero IV Marquis of Valle de Tojo, who was one of the leaders of the montoneras de gauchos under the command of General Martín Miguel de Güemes. Beginning of his military career He studied law at the Universidad Mayor Real y Pontificia San Francisco Xavier de Chuquisaca, but soon changed to a career of arms. He began his military career at the Battle of Ingavi in 1841 and later studied at the French Military Academy of Saint Cyr while serving as secretary of the Bolivian legation in France. As part of his military training, he participated in the Algerian campaign under the command of the Duke of Aumale, an event that would be recorded in his memoirs. Like many other members of the elite of his time, he entered into Freemasonry, allowing him to befriend the most prominent figures in the political world of the region. Upon his return to Bolivia, he entered political life as a supporter of José María de Achá, but when he Melgarejo ousted him, Campero was exiled to Chile and Argentina. Later, he would become a trusted man of the caudillo Mariano Melgarejo. Melgarejo's coup and the death of Belzu Campero participated in the tragic events of March 26, 1865, when a rebellion led by former president Manuel Isidoro Belzu, with the support of the popular masses of La Paz, expelled Melgarejo from the city. Belzu proclaimed himself head of state, however, Melgarejo, aware of his imminent defeat, entered the city making his way through the crowd and asked to have meeting with the populist caudillo. Once Melgarejo reached the Palacio Quemado, to the surprise of Belzu and his companions, he entered the Palace with his sword drawn, uttering insults. Campero stood between Melgarejo and Belzu, begging him to spare his life. Melgarejo ignored Campero's pleas and