He was born in Quetzaltenango, and assassinated (at the behest of his enemy Manuel Estrada Cabrera, President of Guatemala at the time) in Mexico City in 1907.

Initially it was in charge of engineer Miguel Rivera Maestre, but he quit after a few months and was replaced by German expert José Beckers, who built the Greek façades and added a lobby.

This was the first monumental building ever built in the Republican era of Guatemala,[3] given that in the 1850s the country finally was enjoying some peace and prosperity.

The orange trees, fountains and sculptures were removed, and in their place modern gardens were planted and a bust of José Batres Montúfar was erected.

[6] The candidates who ran for office were: Barillas Bercian was unique among all liberal presidents of Guatemala between 1871 and 1944: he handed over power to his successor peacefully.

But by the third day, a huge column of Quetzaltenango and Totonicapán Indigenous people came down from the mountains to vote for general Reyna Barrios.

The official agents did their job: Reyna was elected president[8] and, not to offend the losing candidates, Barillas gave them checks to cover the costs of their presidential campaigns.

[9] Barillas stayed in Guatemala busy with his land properties during the government of Reyna Barrios – he owned the "La Aurora" finca near Guatemala City – but when Reyna was murdered in 1898 after his attempt to extend his term, Barillas had to go into exile in Mexico, as the new president, Manuel Estrada Cabrera, was his personal enemy.