Eduardo Villena

Eduardo Villena had served as secretary in the Peruvian legation under Manuel Freyre before becoming its head himself. Correspondence preserved at Indiana University’s Lilly Library connects him with Freyre and José Antonio Barrenechea in discussions concerning recognition of Cuba’s revolutionary government. The collection description establishes the surviving correspondence, but does not by itself show which policies Villena advocated. ^{1, 2}

Miguel Iglesias appointed him to Washington after the Treaty of Ancón in 1883. Villena sought American recognition of the new government, explained the treaty and disputed press accounts, and investigated the legation’s finances while reorganizing consular representation. His discussions with Secretary of State Frederick Frelinghuysen preceded American recognition in January 1884. The government then restored Juan Federico Elmore to Washington. An instruction of 23 January assigned Villena to Colombia and Venezuela, leaving Antonio Reyna responsible for Ecuador. ^{3, 4}