| Manuel María Mallarino | |
|---|---|
| President of the Republic of the New Granada | |
| In office 1 April 1855 – 1 April 1857 |
|
| Preceded by | José de Obaldía |
| Succeeded by | Mariano Ospina Rodríguez |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 June 1808 Santiago de Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia |
| Died | 6 January 1872 (aged 63) Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse(s) | Mercedes Cabal Borrero |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Manuel María Mallarino Ibargüen (born June 18, 1808 — 6 January 1872)[1] was a Colombian politician, lawyer and Member of Congress, who served as Vice-President of the New Granada, and as such he occupied the presidency of the country between 1855 and 1857.
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Manuel María Mallarino studied Law in Bogotá and Popayán. He became a Professor of jurisprudence and a great debater and orator.[1]
In 1845, Mallarino was appointed Secretary of State by President Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera. As such, in 1846, he signed the International Treaty with the United States of America by which both countries would cooperate and maintain the free navigation rules of the Panama Canal. Later, in 1854, Congress elects Mallarino as Vice-President.[1]
President José María Obando was deposed in 1854 in a coup d’état by General José María Melo. In a political maneuver, Congress removed General Melo from power and brought into office Vice-President Mallarino. Thus, Mallarino became the 13th President of Colombia by an act of Congress. He was inaugurated on 1 April 1855.[1]
On 14 March 1856, President Mallarino sanctioned the Law that separated the Church and the State. Although this Law was contrary to his religious beliefs, he did so to bring tolerance and peace to a country that had been torn by several political and religious wars. This conduct was in line with the reforms initiated by President José Hilario López in 1853.[2]
The first attempt to abolish the death penalty in Colombia happened during the administration of Mallarino. Congress passed this Law on February 9, 1856. Mallarino was in opposition to this Law and asked his Minister of the Interior, Cerbeleón Pinzón, to write an objection memorandum to veto it. The Minister refused to do so, and Mallarino fired him. A newly appointed Minister, Luciano Jaramillo, prepared the memorandum and the Law was vetoed.[2]