| Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera | |
|---|---|
| 4th President of the United States of Colombia | |
| In office May 22, 1866 – November 1, 1867 |
|
| Preceded by | José María Rojas Garrido |
| Succeeded by | Joaquín Riascos |
| 1st President of the United States of Colombia | |
| In office May 14, 1863 – April 8, 1864 |
|
| Preceded by | Office created[1] |
| Succeeded by | Manuel Murillo Toro |
| 3rd President of the Granadine Confederation | |
| In office July 18, 1861 – February 4, 1863 |
|
| Preceded by | Bartolomé Calvo |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished[2] |
| 8th President of the Republic of New Granada | |
| In office April 1, 1845 – April 1, 1849 |
|
| Vice President | Rufino Cuervo |
| Preceded by | Pedro Alcántara Herrán Zaldúa |
| Succeeded by | José Hilario López |
| 5th President of the Sovereign State of Cauca | |
| In office August 15, 1871 – August 1, 1873 |
|
| Preceded by | Andrés Cerón Serrano |
| Succeeded by | Julián Trujillo Largacha |
| 1st President of the Sovereign State of Cauca | |
| In office January, 1858 – August 15, 1863 |
|
| Succeeded by | Eliseo Payán |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera y Arboleda September 26, 1798 Popayán , New Granada |
| Died | October 7, 1878 (aged 80) Puracé, Cauca, United States of Colombia |
| Nationality | Colombian |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Spouse(s) | Mariana Arboleda y Arroyo (1820-1867) María Ignacia Arboleda Arboleda (1872-1878) |
| Relations | Joaquín de Mosquera (Brother) |
| Occupation | Soldier (General), writer, politician |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Military service | |
| Nickname(s) | Mascachochas |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars | War of Independence War of the Supremes Ecuadorian-Colombian War |
|
|
Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera y Arboleda (1798–1878) was a Colombian general and political figure. He was president of Colombia four times. The first time was as president of Republic of New Granada from 1845 to 1849. During the Colombian Civil War of 1860-1862 he led liberal forces in a civil war against conservative factions. After the liberals won, a new, federalist constitution was implemented, which established a two-year presidency, and the nation renamed the United States of Colombia. Mosquera served twice as president of the new government. From 1861 to 1862 he served in a non-elected, interim manner, while the constitution was written. From 1862 to 1864 he served in an elected manner. He had a fourth term from 1866 to 1867. Due to the liberal reforms carried out under his leadership, he is considered one of the most important persons in Colombian history of the 19th century.
Due to large facial wounds received during a battle in 1824, he required the use of a metal prosthesis in his jaw. This affected his ability to speak, which was marked by blowing and whistling sounds. As a result Mosquera was derisively nicknamed "Mascachochas" (Gaga-chew) by some of his contemporary critics.