Manuel F. Ayau Cordón, affectionately known as Muso, was a visionary who left an indelible mark on education and the dissemination of classical liberal thought in Latin America and the world. From a young age, his intellectual curiosity and deep passion for freedom were evident. Inspired by the principles of the free market, he dedicated his life to teaching and promoting the values of a society of free and responsible persons, convinced that these principles are fundamental to the development of a prosperous society.
On his initiative, in 1959, one of the first centers of classical liberal thought in Latin America was founded: the Center for Economic and Social Studies (CEES). There, he and some of his friends, concerned about the poverty affecting a large portion of Guatemalans and committed to ending it, dedicated part of their time to studying, translating, and publishing the works of great classical liberal thinkers; the goal, to spread these ideas in Guatemala and the rest of Latin America. They made particular use of concise pamphlets (Tópicos de actualidad), designed to make the ideas easier to handle and understand.
In 1971, Muso and his group of CEES friends, aware of the importance of spreading these principles to a larger number of influential people, founded Universidad Francisco Marroquín (UFM). Under his leadership, as the first president, UFM became a pioneering institution that forms leaders with ethical principles of freedom and responsibility, a bastion of classical liberal thought. Here, we share a brief summary of the founding of UFM, as told by Muso in his book Memories and Comments on the Founding of Universidad Francisco Marroquín and Its Antecedents.
His influence transcended borders, being internationally recognized and awarded. He is the author of books such as Not a Zero-Sum Game, El proceso económico (The economic process), Cómo mejorar el nivel de vida (How to improve living standards), De Robinson Crusoe a Viernes (From Robinson Crusoe to Friday), among others. For years, he published a weekly column in local newspapers, and his articles have been published in newspapers and magazines like The Wall Street Journal and The Freeman, among other media outlets.
Muso was not just an educator but also an entrepreneur involved in industrial and agricultural projects. He traveled across Guatemala, promoting reforms for a freer and more prosperous country. Today, those who know his legacy recognize the lasting impact he made. Inspired by his example, UFM continues his work by educating new generations of professionals in the principles of freedom and responsibility, and by forming leaders who will defend these fundamental values.
Convinced that freedom is the path to prosperity, Muso dedicated his life to spreading these principles, believing that a truly free society allows individuals to forge their own destiny. In honor of his legacy and his strong faith in the power of ideas, the Manuel F. Ayau Society was born, an initiative whose purpose is to perpetuate his legacy.
