Santiago Méndez

Santiago Méndez Ibarra was governor of Yucatán, Mexico 3 times from 1840 to 1857: 1840–44; 1847–48; 1855–57, alternating that office with Miguel Barbachano mainly during his first and second terms. Méndez was a moderate who advocated a strict conservative financial policy for the government. He was noted for his honesty, and gained no personal fortune from his years in governmental power. Santiago Méndez was more in favor of union with Mexico than Barbachano, but twice presided over Yucatán declaring its independence, due to frustration with Mexican dictator Antonio López de Santa Anna.