Mayors of Corn Island
Since 1940, Corn Island has been governed by a Municipal Council, with a Mayor serving as its executive. The Municipal Government of Corn Island is led by the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and Secretary of the Council. Previously, the territory operated under a Governor-based system. Long before this, a Military or Canton Judge, appointed by the Central Government, oversaw the area. Little Corn Island, as part of the Corn Island archipelago, has a local delegate known as "alcaldito" who represents the Municipal Government. The "alcaldito" is appointed by the Mayor.
Since 1997, local authorities have been democratically elected through community-wide elections, involving the entire population aged 16 and older. Before this, the Mayor was selected through a community assembly, bringing together influential figures such as church leaders, business owners, and other notable personalities.
Before the establishment of Corn Island as a municipality, a governor oversaw the political-administrative responsibilities on the islands. In 1894, the President of Nicaragua, José Santos Zelaya, appointed Mr. Jacob Chapman, a resident of the island, as the first Governor. Subsequent governors, including Mr. Adalphus Downs, who was also a native of the archipelago, held responsibilities for municipal governance, with duties extending to being Chief of Police and managing the public registry. During this period, the structures of the Municipal Government were systematically organized, with appointed delegates representing the governor in each neighbourhood. These delegates were responsible for maintaining order and good conduct, acting as the final authority in minor disputes—they were commonly referred to as "Cantan Judge."
In 1936, President Anastasio Somoza GarcÃa militarized the entire country, substituting civilian administrations in provinces with appointed political chiefs. Specifically, on Corn Island, a Lieutenant of the National Guard was designated as a police agent, effectively taking over the responsibilities of the Governor.
In 1940, Corn Island was formally established as a new municipality within the Southern Caribbean Coast. These structural adjustments in government policy led to the appointment of Mr. Isaiah Harold Lampson Jr. as the inaugural Mayor of Corn Island on February 9, 1940, through Presidential Decree No. 312.
List of Mayors
Mayors elected directly by the people of the Corn Islands.
