GRAN COLOMBIA

formal name Republic of Colombia (1822-30) short-lived republic, formerly the Viceroyalty of New Granada, including roughly the modern nations of Colombia, Panama, Venezuela, and Ecuador. In the context of their war for independence from Spain, revolutionary forces in northern South America, led by Simn Bolvar, in 1819 laid the basis for a regular government at a constitutional convention in Angostura (now Ciudad Bolvar, Venezuela). Their republic was definitely organized at the Congress of Ccuta in 1821. Before then, the government had been military and highly centralized with direct executive power exercised by regional vice presidents while President Bolvar was campaigning. It was now reorganized as a centralized representative republic with its capital at Bogot; Bolvar became president and Francisco de Paula Santander vice president. The constitution also called for a bicameral legislature elected from the three regions of the republic. Gran Colombia had a brief, vigorous existence during the war. Subsequent civilian and military rivalry for public office and regional jealousies led to a rebellion in Venezuela in 1826. After ruling as dictator from 1828 to 1830, Bolvar convoked a convention to frame a new constitution. It was recognized only in Nueva Granada (Colombia and Panama). Bolvar resigned and left for the northern coast, where he died, near Santa Marta, on Dec. 17, 1830. By that time Venezuela and Ecuador had seceded from Gran Colombia. Thus, the unrealistically conceived and rather unwieldy state died with its principal architect.