Rafael Gerónimo Cayetano Izquierdo y Gutiérrez[4] (30 September 1820[a] – 9 November 1883)[2][1] was a Spanish military officer, politician, and statesman.

[2][1] Entering as a cadet in the regiment of infantry of Gerona, Rafael Izquierdo reached the military rank of captain[5][6] by the age of 17[7] when he participated in the First Carlist War in Navarre.

Replacing General Carlos María de la Torre on 4 April 1871, Rafael Izquierdo[10] was installed as Governor-General of the Philippines.

The Spanish military court[15] condemned the martyred priests, Fathers Mariano Gomez, José Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora (GOMBURZA), to capital punishment by means of the garrote, on 17 February 1872.

This uprising led to delays in rebuilding Malacañan Palace, and in turn almost transferred colonial governance back within the walls of Intramuros[16] for security purposes.