Luis José de Orbegoso

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Luis José de Orbegoso y Moncada (1795-1847) was a Peruvian soldier and politician. He was President of Peru from 1833 to 1836, a time of profound social instability and continuing civil war which led his government to coexist with that of Pedro Pablo Bermúdez, and later with Felipe Santiago Salaverry.

Orbegoso was born in Chuquizongo, Huamachuco, in 1795. He participated with José de San Martín in the war for independence and in the war against Gran Colombia during the government of José de La Mar. After the death of Agustín Gamarra's first government, Orbegoso was elected president in 1833, winning Pedro Pablo Bermúdez, who Gamarra had preferred as his successor.

During his government, he suffered the enmity of Gamarra, who while in exile had supported Bermúdez in his eventual presidency. Orbegoso had also to deal with the young Felipe Santiago Salaverry, who overthrew him 1835. Orbegoso, however, did not loose the support of southern Peru and, with the support of then President of Bolivia, Andrés de Santa Cruz, he regained his leadership throughout the country and executed Salaverry. In retribution to the support he received from Santa Cruz, he acceeded to form the new Peru-Bolivian Confederacy. Santa Cruz assumed the "Supreme Protectorship" of the confederation and Orbegoso maintained only the presidency of the Republic of North Peru.

After being defeated by Gamarra's efforts to regain power with the support of Chile, Orbegoso had to abandon the country, returning later and staying away from an active political life. He died in Trujillo in 1847.

Preceded by: Agustín Gamarra	President of Peru 1829–1833	Succeeded by: Pedro Pablo Bermúdez
Preceded by: Republic created	President of North Peru 1837 - 1838	Succeeded by: José de la Riva Agüero