José Cecilio del Valle
| Jose Cecilio del Valle | |
|---|---|
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3rd President-elect of the Federal Republic of Central America (Died before taking office) |
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| Preceded by | Francisco Morazán |
| Succeeded by | José Gregorio Salazar |
| Foreign Minister of Mexico | |
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In office February 22, 1823 – 1823 |
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| Monarch | Agustín de Iturbide |
| Preceded by | Jose Manuel de Herrera |
| Succeeded by | Lucas Alamán |
| Mayor of Guatemala City | |
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In office January 1, 1821 – June 1821 |
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| Preceded by | None |
| Succeeded by | Pedro Molina Mazariegos |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
November 22, 1780 March 2, 1834 (aged 53)Choluteca, Honduras |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse(s) | Josefa Valero |
| Alma mater | San Carlos University, Guatemala |
| Profession |
Diplomat Lawyer |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Signature |  |
November 22, 1780
José Cecilio Díaz Del Valle (November 22, 1780 – March 2, 1834) was a philosopher, politician, lawyer, and journalist and one of the most important figures in Central America during the transition from colonial government to independence, displaying a wide-ranging expertise in public administration management.
Valle nicknamed 'The Wise' was also, one of Central America's founding fathers. He used words as his only weapons, and the most amazing fact about his life is that, despite his pacific temperament and lack of military glamor, his efforts did not go unappreciated by the mass of his countrymen. A later family member of Jose Cecilo was Jorge Del Valle Zamora and was ambassador of Honduras in the 20th century.
José Cecilio del Valle was born on November 22, 1780, in the village of Choluteca, located near the Choluteca River. This village belonged to the former province of Tegucigalpa (now Honduras), during the Spanish domination. He was the legitimate son of Jose Antonio del Valle and Mrs. Gertrudis Diaz del Valle. Both members of the most distinguished Spanish families of the Kingdom of Guatemala. who, therefore, have obtained the main political and military jobs. Their wealth consisted mainly of valuable estates of livestock. But that wasn't enough to provide their favorite son with a good education. Tegucigalpa lacked good schools, the only ones available were supported by private donations. Given this situation, Jose Antonio del Valle had to move his family to Guatemala City, where he hoped young Jose would be better formed. Jose Cecilio was only 9 years old when he arrived in Guatemala.
In Guatemala City he attended the University of San Carlos where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1794. Then in 1799 he earned a degree in Civil and Canonical law and a litcentiate degree in Law in 1803. His mentor was Father José Antonio Liendo y Goycochea.
In 1821 he was elected mayor of Guatemala City, position he held until June (1821). The same year Central America became independent from Spanish rule. Jose del Valle was the one who wrote the Act of Independence of Central America. Up to this date, there is a controversy in relation to this document because del Valle did not sign it. Most historians however, agreed that he was not supposed to sign such document. In 1822 Central America became part of the short lived Mexican Empire under Agustin de Iturbide.
Valle was elected a 'Guatemalan Representative' before the Mexican Congress. On August 27, 1822. Valle was imprisoned along with other representatives on charges of conspiring against the Mexican Government. After 5 months in prison (February 1823), he was released and appointed Foreign Minister for the Mexican Government. The same year Central America gained its independence from Mexico. In January 1824 he returned to Guatemala where was part of the second triumvirate that governed the Provinces of Central America.
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Wikipedia