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Francisco de Paula Santander[frAnsE´skO dA pou´lA sAntAndAr´] Pronunciation Key, 1792–1840, Colombian revolutionist. Given command of the guerrillas of the llanos by SimOn BolIvar, Santander materially contributed to the victory at BoyacA. In Oct., 1821, he became vice president of Colombia and ably administered the country during BolIvar's long absences. A believer in constitutional government, Santander led the federalist opposition to BolIvar, who, on Sept. 24, 1828, suspended him from office. That night BolIvar barely escaped assassination. Convicted without proof of complicity in the plot, Santander was sentenced to death, but was instead banished. After BolIvar's death and the dissolution of the republic of Greater Colombia, he returned and served (1832–36) as president of New Granada. His administration was competent, but there were plots against his life and he maintained control only by force.
See study by D. Bushnell (1970).
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