Alfonso Barrera Valverde (Ambato, 1929 – September 6, 2013) was an Ecuadorian diplomat, poet, novelist, and non-fiction writer. Some of his notable works include his account of the Paquisha conflict, “Hombres de paz en lucha” (1982), the novel “Sancho Panza en América” (2005), and the children’s novel “El país de Manuelito” (1984). He served as ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Spain, Canada, Germany, and Argentina, and he also served as Ecuador’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Early Life and Education
Alfonso Barrera Valverde was born on March 29, 1929, in Ambato, Tungurahua, Ecuador, the sixth of seven siblings in a family dedicated to education and the arts. His father, Rafael Barrera, was a professor, while his mother, Teresa Valverde, was a homemaker with a passion for the arts. At the age of three, his family moved to Quito, where Barrera would spend much of his formative years. He attended the Pensionado Mera and later the Colegio La Salle, where he demonstrated early intellectual promise.
Barrera pursued higher education at the Central University of Ecuador, earning a doctorate in jurisprudence. His academic aspirations extended overseas, where he completed a postgraduate degree at Harvard University in the United States, solidifying his foundation in international law and diplomacy.
Diplomatic Career
Barrera’s diplomatic career began early. At the age of 23, he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador and quickly ascended the ranks. One of his early assignments was as Ecuador’s ambassador to the Dominican Republic, during the regime of dictator Leonidas Trujillo. He also played a significant role as Ecuador’s ambassador to Venezuela, particularly during a period when diplomatic relations between the two nations had been severed.
Throughout his career, Barrera represented Ecuador as an ambassador in Spain, Canada, Germany, and Argentina. His most prominent role in government came in 1980, when he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs under President Jaime Roldós Aguilera. During his tenure, Barrera navigated the country through the Paquisha conflict with Peru in early 1981, a critical moment in Ecuadorian foreign relations. He organized diplomatic responses and mediated discussions with guarantor countries through the Organization of American States (OAS).
After the conflict, Barrera received public and political support for a presidential candidacy, which he declined. Over his nearly five-decade career, Barrera became a respected figure in Ecuadorian diplomacy, with his strategic acumen and calm leadership earning him recognition at home and abroad.
Literary Career
In parallel with his diplomatic work, Alfonso Barrera Valverde built an esteemed career as a poet, novelist, and essayist. His literary contributions began as early as the 1950s, and he developed a significant body of work over the following decades. His poetry was known for its emotional depth, often reflecting on themes of love, justice, and the human condition.
Barrera’s first major collection of poems, Floración del silencio (1951), marked the beginning of his literary journey. Other notable works followed, such as Latitud unánime (1953), Testimonio (1956), and Tiempo secreto (1977). His prose works, including novels like Dos muertes en una vida (1971) and Heredarás un mar que no conoces y lenguas que no sabes (1978), further showcased his narrative talent and versatility.
Among his most celebrated works is the children’s novel El país de Manuelito (1984), which remains a beloved classic in Ecuadorian literature. His 2006 novel, Sancho Panza en América, published by Alfaguara, offered a unique and imaginative exploration of themes rooted in both Latin American and European literary traditions.
In addition to fiction, Barrera also authored essays on international law and culture, including Hombres de paz en lucha (1982), which detailed his reflections on the Paquisha War. His academic publications, such as El derecho internacional público en América (1962), demonstrated his deep expertise in legal matters and cemented his reputation as both a scholar and a diplomat.
Academic and Professional Contributions
Barrera’s influence extended into academia. He taught international law at both the Central University of Ecuador and the Catholic University of Ecuador. His teaching covered a broad range of subjects, from migration and foreign policy to international organizations. He also lectured at the University of Pittsburgh in Quito and San Francisco University of Quito, helping to shape a new generation of Ecuadorian diplomats and lawyers.
In 2009, Barrera was elected as a full member of the Ecuadorian Academy of Language, a prestigious recognition of his intellectual and literary achievements. His inaugural address, “Maneras de escribir libros sin éxito,” underscored his self-deprecating wit and deep understanding of the craft of writing.
Legacy and Accolades
Throughout his lifetime, Alfonso Barrera Valverde received numerous honors for both his diplomatic service and literary contributions. In 1980, he was awarded the Gran Cruz de la Orden de San Raimundo de Peñafort, and he was also a candidate for the Miguel de Cervantes Prize in 2010, the highest recognition for Spanish-language writers.
His diplomatic work earned him honors from a range of countries, including Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Spain, and Italy. His selection by UNESCO to participate in the Appreciation of Cultural Values of the East and West further demonstrated his standing as a figure of international renown.
Personal Life and Death
Alfonso Barrera Valverde was married to Julia Altamirano Silva, with whom he had three children: María Soledad, Rafael Alfonso, and Eduardo José. His wife passed away on September 9, 2021. Barrera remained a committed family man throughout his life, balancing his demanding professional and literary careers with his personal life.
He passed away on September 6, 2013, at the age of 84, leaving behind a legacy as one of Ecuador’s most respected diplomats and literary figures. His contributions to both the cultural and political life of Ecuador continue to be celebrated long after his death.
Selected works
Poetry
- Floración del silencio (1951)
- Latitud unánime – co-written with Eduardo Villacís Meythaler (Quito, 1953)
- Testimonio (Quito, 1956)
- Del solar y del tránsito (Quito, 1958)
- Poesía (Quito, 1969)
- Tiempo secreto (Buenos Aires, 1977)
Novels
- Dos muertes en una vida (1971)
- Heredarás un mar que no conoces y lenguas que no sabes (Madrid, 1978)
- Sancho Panza en América o la eternidad despedazada (2005)
- Galápagos: Fábulas y Personajes (2002)
Children’s novel
- El país de Manuelito (Quito, 1984)
Non-fiction
- El derecho internacional público en América (1962)
- Manual de extranjería (1966)
- La occidentalización de la poesía japonesa contemporánea (Quito, 1968)
- Hombres de paz en lucha (Quito, 1982)
His work has been included in the following anthologies
- Índice de la poesía tungurahuense (Ambato, 1963)
- Antología poética de Quito (Quito, 1977)
- Lírica ecuatoriana contemporánea (Bogotá, 1979)
- Poesía viva del Ecuador (Quito, 1990)