which Yucatán initially sought help from Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States, but ultimately reunited with Mexico for help. Herrera peacefully turned over the presidency to the winner of the Federal Elections of 1850, General Mariano Arista. Despite being exiled from Mexico in 1848, Santa Anna would return to the presidency one last time during the 1850s. El Salvador February – El Salvador proclaims itself an independent republic, bringing an end to the (already de facto defunct) Federal Republic of Central America. Caribbean Barbados June 6, 1843 – In Barbados, Samuel Jackman Prescod is the first non-white person elected to the House of Assembly. Dominican Republic February 27, 1844 – The Dominican Republic gains independence from Haiti. November 6, 1844 – The Dominican Republic drafts its first Constitution. Haiti March 1, 1847 – Faustin Soulouque declares himself Emperor of Haiti. Trinidad May 30, 1845 – Fatel Razack (Fath Al Razack, "Victory of Allah the Provider", Arabic: قتح الرزاق) is the first ship to bring indentured labourers from India to Trinidad, landing in the Gulf of Paria with 227 immigrants. South America Brazil July 23, 1840 – Pedro II is declared "of age" prematurely and begins to reassert central control in Brazil. July 18, 1841 – Coronation ceremony of Emperor Pedro II of Brazil in Rio de Janeiro. January 20, 1843 – Honório Hermeto Carneiro Leão, Marquis of Paraná, becomes de facto first prime minister of the Empire of Brazil. September 4, 1843 – The Emperor Dom Pedro II of Brazil marries Dona Teresa Cristina of the Two Sicilies in a state ceremony in Rio de Janeiro Cathedral. Uruguay February 3, 1843 – Argentina supports Rosas of Uruguay and begins a siege of Montevideo. Paraguay 1844 – Carlos Antonio López becomes dictator of Paraguay. Argentina September 18, 1845 – Anglo-French blockade of the Río de la Plata formally declared. November 20, 1845 – Anglo-French blockade of the Río de la Plata: Battle of Vuelta de Obligado: The Argentine Confederation is narrowly defeated by an Anglo-French fleet on the waters of the Paraná River but Argentina attracts political support in South America. Venezuela 1843 – Germans from the Black Forest region of Southern Baden migrate to Venezuela. Peru April 20, 1845 – Ramón Castilla becomes president of Peru. Chile May 23, 1843 – Chile takes possession of the Strait of Magellan. Science and technology Astronomy April – Eta Carinae is