Ezequiel Fernández Jaén (3 March 1886 – 26 March 1946) was one of Panama's presidential designates from 1936 to 1940 and in that capacity also acting

President of Panama This article lists the heads of state of Panama since the short-lived first independence from the Republic of New Granada in 1840 and the final separation from Colombia in 1903. Free State of the Isthmus (1840–1841) Republic of Panama (1 ...

from December 16, 1939, to December 18, 1939. He belonged to the National Revolutionary Party (PNR), acting as president and "Supreme Leader" of the party, until in 1940, Arnulfo Arias Madrid, became

. He was elected as the third presidential designate by the

National Assembly In politics, a national assembly is either a unicameral legislature, the lower house of a bicameral legislature, or both houses of a bicameral legislature together. In the English language it generally means "an assembly composed of the rep ...

for the term 1936–1938, and as the second presidential designate for the term 1938–1940. Fernández's three-day rule is the shortest term ever served by a President of Panama. With former President

Harmodio Arias Madrid Harmodio Arias Madrid (3 July 1886 – 23 December 1962) was a Panamanian politician. He served as acting President of Panama in January 1931 and again from June 5, 1932, to October 1, 1936, after winning the 1932 presidential election. Fa ...

, he was the founder, architect, and for several years, main leader, of the National Revolutionary Party (PNR), until for health reasons he stepped down in 1940 after organizing the party for Arnulfo Arias Madrid. Ezequiel Fernández Jaén was succeeded as leader and President of the party by Arnulfo Arias Madrid, who became President of Panamá in 1940. Fernandez remained leader of the party until Arnulfo Arias Madrid won the election. Then, President Arnulfo Arias Madrid, appointed him as the Panamanian Ambassador to Costa Rica where he negotiated the Echandi-Fernández Jaén Treaty, ending a long border controversy that led both countries to war (the Coto War). Over the years, the National Revolutionary Party became the Arnulfista Party and the Panameñista Party, and Fernández Jaén s' historical relevance was diminished by Arnulfo Arias Madrid. Fernández Jaén acted as judge, Supreme Court judge and also as cabinet Government and Justice Secretary. He had eight children from his first marriage. After his first wife died, he remarried (with Zoila Adela Moré Ochoa) and had three other children. He was also father of one other son.

References

1886 births 1946 deaths People from Penonomé District Panameñista Party politicians Presidents of Panama Vice presidents of Panama Ambassadors of Panama to Costa Rica {{Panama-politician-stub