Alfonso Lopez Pumarejo Colombian diplomat and president. Date of Birth: 31.01.1886 Country: Colombia

1. Biography of Alfonso Lopez Pumarejo
2. Journalism and Political Career
3. Presidential Campaign and Diplomatic Roles
4. Progressive Reforms and Resignation
5. Later Diplomatic Roles and Legacy

Biography of Alfonso Lopez Pumarejo

Alfonso Lopez Pumarejo was a Colombian diplomat and president, born on January 31, 1886 in Onde. He received his primary and secondary education in private schools and studied political economics, finance, and management in the United States and London.

Journalism and Political Career

In 1910, Lopez Pumarejo, along with his friends, co-founded the newspaper "El Liberal" and later became its editor-in-chief and co-owner. He also served as the editor-in-chief and co-owner of "El Diario Nacional" newspaper. In 1915, he was elected as a deputy of the Liberal Party from the Tolima department in the National Assembly. After completing his term as a deputy, he returned to journalism and also engaged in banking.

Presidential Campaign and Diplomatic Roles

During the 1929 presidential campaign, Lopez Pumarejo provided significant support to the liberal candidate Enrique Olaya Herrera. When the liberals emerged victorious after decades of conservative rule, Lopez Pumarejo gained considerable influence and was appointed as the ambassador to the United Kingdom.

After returning to Colombia in 1933, Lopez Pumarejo discovered that the country was on the brink of war with Peru due to a border dispute. As a long-time friend of Peruvian President Oscar Benavides, Lopez Pumarejo made an unofficial visit to Lima and successfully resolved the conflict. He was elected as the President of Colombia and served from 1934 to 1938, and again from 1942 to 1945.

Progressive Reforms and Resignation

Lopez Pumarejo implemented a series of progressive reforms during his presidency, including the redistribution of large estates among tenants, strengthening labor unions, developing the education system, restricting foreign capital access to the country's natural resources, and granting women the right to vote. These transformations faced strong opposition from conservative circles, and a few months before the end of his second term, Lopez Pumarejo was forced to resign.

Later Diplomatic Roles and Legacy

Despite his resignation, President Mariano Ospina Perez, a conservative supporter, appointed Lopez Pumarejo as the head of the Colombian delegation to the first United Nations General Assembly in 1946. In 1947, he was nominated for the position of Secretary of the Security Council.

Lopez Pumarejo passed away on November 20, 1959, while serving as the ambassador to the United Kingdom. He left behind several works, including "International Politics," "Official Politics," "Messages," "Letters," and "Speeches of President Lopez" (5 volumes, 1934-1938).