Antonio Borrero was born in Cuenca, Ecuador and completed much of his education in his home town.

He was exiled by Jefe Supremo (Supreme Chief) Ignacio de Veintemilla and lived for a number of years in Peru and Chile.

After the overthrow of Veintemilla in 1883, he was allowed to return to Ecuador where he practiced law and worked as a journalist and writer until his death in Quito in 1911.

His administration supported free suffrage, press freedom and guarantees of individual rights.

He was urged to by liberals to hold a national assembly to amend the Garciana Constitution and establish the Republic on more modern lines.