in the wake of the upcoming threats by the Haitians. And thus, this began a new era for the Dominican Republic tainted with violent political standoffs. For example, upon discovering Bobadilla's attempt to annex the new nation to France, Sánchez, along with Mella, led a revolt which subsequently displaced Bobadilla, and reinstalled Sánchez as president in June 1844. Simultaneously, Sánchez would be toppled in another coup d'état led by the wealthy caudillo, Pedro Santana. Santana immediately declared Sánchez, Mella, and Duarte, who had just returned to country, as traitors to the homeland and were forced into exile. This action would be the start of the fall out between the independence Trinitarios and the pro-annexation sectors of the nation. However, tragedy struck while on board the ship, which crashed off the coast of Ireland, killing many of the people on the ship. The survivors, of which included Sánchez and Mella, found themselves in Dublin. In December 1844, they relocated to the United States, and later settling in Curaçao. His life in Curaçao was very simple. He took a job as a teacher, where he taught Spanish and other subjects in the company of companions of his friend, Juan José Illás. This allowed him to meet Leoncia Rodríguez, a Curaçaoan woman, with whom he established a romantic relationship, thus conceiving a daughter. However, Sánchez had received the tragic news that his aunt, Maria Trinidad Sánchez, had been tortured and executed by Santana for refusing to name the conspirators against him on February 27, 1845, exactly one year after the independence from Haiti. Sanchez's elder half-brother, Andrés, Nicolás de Barías and José del Carmen Figueroa were also shot. In 1848, Manuel Jimenes, the newly elected president, granted an amnesty which allowed the return of Sanchez and many of the exiled patriots back to the country. Sanchez returned to the Dominican Republic during a very crucial time. He had returned just in time to find that his parents, Olaya del Rosario and Narsisso Sanchez, were still alive. However, by the beginning of February 1849, Olaya del Rosario became seriously ill. Longing to enjoy her presence, both Sánchez and his father came to an agreement that her end was near. He continued to be by her side until her unfortunate death on March 2, 1849. Before her death, Sánchez reconnected with his old girlfirend, Balbina Peña, later marrying her. The two would remain wed until