Santos Gutiérrez

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Gutiérrez and the second or maternal family name is Prieto.

José Santos Gutiérrez Prieto (October 24, 1820 - February 6, 1872), 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.

Santos Gutiérrez
7th President of the United States of Colombia
In office April 1, 1868 – April 1, 1870
Preceded by	Santos Acosta
Succeeded by	Eustorgio Salgar
Member of the Executive Ministry of the United States of Colombia
In office February 9, 1863 – May 14, 1863 Serving with Eustorgio Salgar, José Hilario López, Froilan Largacha, and Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera
Preceded by	Provisionary Office*
Succeeded by	Provisionary Office*
19th President of the Sovereign State of Cundinamarca
In office January 1, 1864 – January 18, 1865
Preceded by	Alejo Morales
Succeeded by	Rafael Mendoza
4th President of the Sovereign State of Boyacá
In office 1861–1862
Preceded by	David Torres
Succeeded by	Pedro Cortés Holguin
Personal details
Born	José Santos Gutiérrez Prieto (1820-10-24)October 24, 1820 El Cocuy, Boyacá, Colombia
Died	February 6, 1872(1872-02-06) (aged 51) Bogotá, Cundinamarca, United States of Colombia
Political party	Liberal
Spouse(s)	Ana Deodata Bernal (1849-?) Hermelina Concha (1869-1872)
Alma mater	National University of Colombia
Nickname(s)	Tuso Gutiérrez, Colombian Garibaldi
Military service
Allegiance	Colombia (Liberal Party)
Branch/service	National Army of Colombia
Rank	General
Commands	Army Chief of Staff
Battles/wars	War of the Supremes Colombian Civil War (1860–1862)
This was a provisional office position. See the preceding executive office’s officeholder Francisco Javier Zaldúa, and the replacing executive office’s officeholder Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera.

Biographic data

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

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.

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.

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.

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).

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 "Constitución de Rionegro" to assemble, and General Gutiérrez participated in it as delegate on his own recognizance.