José Hilario López: A

Biographical Sketch

José Hilario was a Colombian politician

and military and although he was born
in 1789 at a time of war and disputes in
the Colombian territory, he decided to
leave a mark on the history of his
country. He was president of the
Republic and distinguished himself in
the War of Independence thanks to his
participation in the battle of Boyacá and in the campaigns of Cúcuta, Apure and
Pasto.
At some point in his life, the realists seized him and offered him the job of crier
in exchange for forgiving his life. He did not accept, because it went against his
ideals and his personality characterized by fidelity to his thought. José was
sentenced to be shot, but at the last minute the order was canceled.
Lopez joined the army in 1812, in 1823 he became a lieutenant colonel, then
became a friend of the Liberator, who appointed him governor of Neiva, and in
1830 President Domingo Caycedo promoted him to brigadier general. He was
also head of the Colombian legation in 1839. After the war of the Supreme, José
Hilario López retired from politics, but in 1849 he was elected president, for the
period 1849-1853. Then he retired from public life and died in Campo Alegre,
on one of his haciendas in Huila, on November 27, 1869.
José Hilario should be the winner of the award, because he could steal the state
and enjoy the benefits of being president, but decided to initiate several liberal
and reformist measures. For example: the abolition of the death penalty for
political crimes, the abolition of slavery and the establishment of universal
suffrage and compulsory and free education.