Juan de Dios Aranzazu (1798–1845) was a Colombian politician.

Juan de Dios Aranzazu
President of the Republic of New Granada
In office
July 5, 1841 – May 19, 1842
Preceded byPedro Alcántara Herrán
Succeeded byPedro Alcántara Herrán
Governor of the Department of Antioquia
In office
June 6, 1832 – January 16, 1836
Preceded byFrancisco Luis Campusano
Succeeded byJuan Santamaria
Personal details
Born(1798-03-08)March 8, 1798
La Ceja, Antioquia, Colombia
DiedApril 14, 1845(1845-04-14) (aged 47)
Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia
Political partyLiberal
Alma materColegio San Bartolomé La Merced
OccupationPolitician, lawyer
Military service
AllegianceColombia (Liberal Party)

His political career took off in 1832, when he became the governor of the Antioquia Department. He held that office until 1836, in which time he opened the first Provincial Legislative sessions. From July 5, 1841, until May 19, 1842, he was President of the Republic of New Granada.

Biography edit

He was born on March 8, 1798, in La Ceja, Antioquia. His parents were María Antonia González and José María de Aranzazu, the latter of which was a wealthy merchant originally from Spain. As a youth he studied law and jurisprudence in the Colegio de San Bartolomé, in Bogotá. He also got involved with the family business, which led him to travel across widely, both within Colombia and to the surrounding countries.

He entered politics in 1823, starting in one of his many stints as a congressman. In 1828, he served as a delegate to the Convention of Ocaña. Shortly thereafter he was part of a delegation to José Antonio Páez to attempt to convince not to separate Venezuela from Gran Colombia.

In 1829 he supported the rebellion of José María Córdova against the dictator and liberator Simón Bolívar.

Governor of Antioquia edit

As governor the towns of Campamento, Cocorná, Ebéjico, Entrerríos, Girardota, and Liborina were all founded. He also lobbied for what became the precursor of the modern road to the sea.

President of the Republic edit

During the presidency of Pedro Alcántara Herrán he held the post of President of the Council of State. It is due to this office that he became acting president from late 1841 to early 1842. This was because President Alcántara Herrán was busy directing the army in the War of the Supremes, and vice-President Domingo Caicedo was too ill to take office.

Death and legacy edit

Juan de Dios Aranzazu died on April 14, 1845, due to cancer.[1]

In 1853, the town of Aranzazu, in the department of Caldas, was founded on land he donated and named in his honour.

References edit

  1. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 9, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)