Juan de Dios Aranzazu

From July 5, 1841, until May 19, 1842, he was President of the Republic of New Granada.

• Name — Juan de Dios Aranzazu • Office — President of the New Granada • Term Start — July 5, 1841 • Term End — May 19, 1842 • Predecessor — Pedro Alcántara Herrán • Successor — Pedro Alcántara Herrán • Order2 — Governor of the • Office2 — Department of Antioquia • Term Start2 — June 6, 1832 • Term End2 — January 16, 1836 • Predecessor2 — Francisco Luis Campusano • Successor2 — Juan Santamaria • Born — 8 March 1798 • Birthplace — La Ceja, Antioquia, Colombia • Died — 14 April 1845 • Place of death — Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia • Party — Liberal • Education — Colegio San Bartolomé La Merced • Occupation — Politician, lawyer • Allegiance — Colombia (Liberal Party)

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.

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.

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.