See also: Santander

Francisco Jose of Paula Santander Omaña (April 2nd 1792 - May 6th 1840) was there a soldier and statesman Colombia N, hero of independence.

Biography

Initially studying in right, it stops its studies in 1810 to engage in the fight for independence. At the second lieutenant beginning, it climbs the levels and ends up being named general in 1819 after the decisive participation of its troops in the victory of Simón Bolívar in the battle of Boyacá.

After the independence of 1819, it is initially named vice-president of Cundinamarca (which at that time gathered the territory of the current Colombia), then in 1821 vice-president of the whole of the Grande Colombia for 5 years.

Its political visions (democratic constitution) start to diverge from that of Bolívar and the soldiers. In spite of that, Bolívar is elected president in 1826 and Santander is its vice-president. However, following an assassination attempt against Bolívar (which had declared dictator before), he is condemned to the exile in 1828. He lives then in Europe and with the the United States. Recalled in Colombia to died of Bolívar in 1830 (dissolution of Large Colombia), he is president of the News-Grenade on a purely provisional basis of 1832 with 1833, then elected again for the 4 following years.

In 1837, it is beaten by Jose Ignacio de Márquez. It enters then to the senate and becomes president of the congress. It falls seriously sick and dies in 1840, whereas it prepared the electoral campaign to return to the supreme capacity.

Principal actions as president

During its mandates of president of News-Grenade, Santander strongly supported the education, which he judged essential to implement the challenges of a new nation. He is the author of economic reforms aiming at removing the perverse effects of the colonial system. In foreign politics, it obtains the recognition of its country by Venezuela in 1833 and by the Holy See in 1835.