Benito Pablo Juárez García (Spanish pronunciation: [beˈnito ˈpaβlo ˈxwaɾes ɣarˈsi.a]; March 21, 1806 – July 18, 1872) was a Zapotec indian from Oaxaca who served five terms as president of Mexico: 1858–1861 as interim, 1861–1865, 1865–1867, 1867–1871 and 1871–1872. Benito Juárez was the first Mexican leader who did not have a military background, and also the first full-blooded indigenous national ever to serve as President of Mexico and to lead a country in the Western Hemisphere. He resisted the French occupation, overthrew the Empire, restored the Republic, and used liberal efforts to modernize the country.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benito_Ju%C3%A1rez
