Santos Gutiérrez

José Santos Gutiérrez Prieto was a Colombian statesman and soldier, who became president of the Sovereign State of Boyacá, and later elected as president of the United States of Colombia for the term of 1868-1870.[1]

Santos Gutiérrez
1872 oil painting by Ramón Torres Méndez
7th President of the United States of Colombia
In office
April 1, 1868  April 1, 1870
Preceded bySantos Acosta
Succeeded byEustorgio Salgar
Member of the Executive Ministry of the United States of Colombia
In office
February 9, 1863  May 14, 1863
Preceded byProvisionary Office*
Succeeded byProvisionary Office*
19th President of the Sovereign State of Cundinamarca
In office
January 1, 1864  January 18, 1865
Preceded byAlejo Morales
Succeeded byRafael Mendoza
4th President of the Sovereign State of Boyacá
In office
1861–1862
Preceded byDavid Torres
Succeeded byPedro Cortés Holguin
Personal details
Born
José Santos Gutiérrez Prieto

(1820-10-24)October 24, 1820
El Cocuy, Boyacá, Colombia
DiedFebruary 6, 1872(1872-02-06) (aged 51)
Bogotá, Cundinamarca, United States of Colombia
Political partyLiberal
Spouse(s)Ana Deodata Bernal (1849-?)
Hermelina Concha (1869-1872)
Alma materNational University of Colombia
Military service
Nickname(s)Tuso Gutiérrez,
Colombian Garibaldi
AllegianceColombia (Liberal Party)
Branch/serviceNational Army of Colombia
RankGeneral
CommandsArmy Chief of Staff
Battles/warsWar of the Supremes
Colombian Civil War (1860–1862)

Biographic data

Gutiérrez was born in the town of El Cocuy, Boyacá, on October 24, 1820.[1] He died in Bogotá, Cundinamarca, on February 6, 1872.[2]

Early life

Gutiérrez’ family moved to Bogotá in order to provide him with adequate and high education. Gutiérrez completed his high school education in the Colegio Mayor de San Bartolomé, where he later studied jurisprudence and obtained his lawyer degree.[1]

Military career

In 1851, Gutiérrez entered the military academy and demonstrated an amazing talent and ability. His first action in combat was during the war against the administration of General José María Melo in 1854, in which he saved the life of General Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera. After his heroic performance in the battlefield he was ascended to the rank of General.[3]

Later, in 1859, Gutiérrez leads the troops of General Mosquera in the province of Santander (today Department of Santander), during the civil war against the administration of President Mariano Ospina Rodríguez. In the battle of “La Concepción”, on August 29, 1860, he is wounded in action while, once again, saving the life of General Mosquera.[3]

Political career

After the civil war of 1859-1860, Gutiérrez is appointed, first, Governor of the province of Boyacá (1861-1862) and later, Governor of the province of Cundinamarca (1864-1865).[3]

The revolutionary army of General Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera defeated the Constitutional Army of Colombia and after the presidential term of Mariano Ospina Rodríguez, on April 1, 1861, proclaimed himself as president. General Mosquera permits the Constitutional Congress or "Convención de Rionegro" to assemble, and General Gutiérrez participated in it as delegate on his own recognizance.[3]

References

  1. Arismendi Posada, Ignacio; Gobernantes Colombianos; trans. Colombian Presidents; Interprint Editors Ltd.; Italgraf; Segunda Edición; Page 85; Bogotá, Colombia; 1983
  2. Arismendi Posada, Ignacio; Gobernantes Colombianos; trans. Colombian Presidents; Interprint Editors Ltd.; Italgraf; Segunda Edición; Page 88; Bogotá, Colombia; 1983
  3. Arismendi Posada, Ignacio; Gobernantes Colombianos; trans. Colombian Presidents; Interprint Editors Ltd.; Italgraf; Segunda Edición; Page 86; Bogotá, Colombia; 1983
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