JOSÉ MARÍA URBINA Y VITERI: BIOGRAPHY - HISTORY - 2025

José María Mariano Segundo de Urbina y Viteri (March 19, 1808 - September 4, 1891) was president of Ecuador between 1852 and 1856, and is recognized for being the architect of the abolition of slavery in the country. Some records qualify him as someone noted for his "for his friendship and consideration for his peers."

However, he was also admired for his ferocity and determination on the battlefield as a result of his vocation for a military career. Despite pushing for a measure as important as the abolition of slavery, his government had considerable negative aspects.

Some of these unfavorable elements were the expulsion of the Jesuits from the country and the freedom to study for secondary school and university, which represented a strong delay in education and culture in the region.

Biography

Early age

José María Mariano Segundo de Urbina y Viteri was born on March 19, 1808 in Píllaro, in what was considered part of the Spanish Empire. He was the son of the marriage formed by Gabriel Fernández de Urbina and Olarte, a Spanish accountant; and Rosa Viteri, from Ambato.

He attended elementary school in his hometown but dropped out to enlist in the Naval School in Guayaquil at the age of 13. This decision was made based on placing himself under the command of General Juan Illinworth who, according to historical records, took care of him as if he were his own son.

Blockade of El Callao

Upon completing his education at the age of 16, he held the post of Marine Guard and participated in the blockade of El Callao, a place that remained the last Spanish stronghold. At age 20 he was promoted to ensign.

In 1828 he fought against the Peruvian army in the naval combat of Punta Malpelo, where he was wounded. A year later he fought against the same enemy in the land battle of Tarqui, on February 27, 1829.

Rebound from 1830

Starting in 1830, Urbina y Viteri further nurtured his military career with a series of important participations in the political history of Ecuador:

- In 1830 he participated in the process of separation of Ecuador from Gran Colombia.

- He was part of the campaign against the revolution of Venezuelan General Luis Urdaneta (Rafael Urdaneta's nephew), during the presidency of Juan José Flores. Later, he was sent as part of a diplomatic committee to New Granada.

- That period was highlighted by the insurgent struggles and the strong opposition of Vicente Rocafuerte. Once a pact was reached between Rocafuerte and Flores - which would put an end to the civil war - Urbina remained in Guayaquil until 1837, when he was removed by mandate of President Rocafuerte.

- He had a prominent participation in the battle of Miñarica, where conventionalists (an army loyal to Rocafuerte) fought against the restorers (an army led by José Félix Valdivieso).

- In 1845 he collaborated in the overthrow of Juan José Flores and participated in the revolt for the removal of Manuel Ascásubi in 1850.

- After being appointed as a colonel and after significant participation in military conflicts, Urbina's participation in the political world began when he was appointed as charge d'affaires in Bogotá during the Rocafuerte presidency. He was later fired, apparently for breach of office.

Political life

Some of the political positions and divisions of Urbina are mentioned below:

- In 1839 he was elected as governor of the province of Manabí. While in office, he participated in the revolution of March 6, 1845 in order to stop the counterrevolution.

- Supported the overthrow of Flores during the Triumvirate. After the rise of Vicente Roca, Urbina was appointed general minister and alternate senator. Later he was Minister of the Interior and Foreign Relations.

- During the National Constituent Assembly in 1846 he was appointed Secretary General.

- He assumed positions of senator and deputy.

- During the presidency of Vicente Roca, he was also appointed Chief of Civil and Military State in Guayaquil.

Presidency

Between 1851 and 1852 Diego Noboa was appointed as supreme chief amid political mobs and a coup d'état. Likewise, he also had to deal with an invasion led by Juan José Flores, supported in turn by Peru and by the conservatives who were in the country.

Later, after the political tension eased, the Assembly amended the Constitution to appoint Urbina as the new president. Some of the most important events during his tenure are highlighted below:

- Expulsion of the Jesuits at the insistence of the Assembly.

- Urbina demanded compensation from Peru for the support given to the invasion attempt of Flores. The settlement was achieved with a peace agreement.

- Cancellation of part of the foreign debt contracted by the battles during the Independence. This was achieved thanks to an equitable agreement with Great Britain.

- Reduced tariffs on products destined for export.

- There was a significant growth in the cultivation and export of cocoa and husk (raw material for the production of the vaccine against malaria).

- Promulgated the Law of Freedom of Studies. It contemplated that the State only guaranteed primary education; secondary and university education were privatized. The law stated that students could attend their tests whenever they wanted without having to register or go to class. This affected the educational quality in the last cycles.

- He insisted that education and culture should be secular.

- Promoted freedom of the press.

- He decreed the abolition of slavery. This was a controversial move, so he had to compensate the owners. According to his assessment, the decision was based on the need for remuneration for the work of indigenous people and slaves.

- Suppressed the collection of advanced taxes to the natives.

- It extended the possession of water to some remote villages. This was previously run by landowners.

- Provided the army with better salaries, education and equipment. Thanks to these measures, he was able to control coup attempts and movements by followers of Flores.

Last years

Gabriel García Moreno was elected in 1861 and Urbina went into exile in Peru. From there he planned an unsuccessful invasion of Ecuador.

After the death of García Moreno, he returned to the country to be appointed general in chief and director of the war during the mandate of Ignacio de Veintemilla.

In 1878 he was part of the Constituent Assembly, being its president. Five years later Ignacio de Veintemilla proclaimed himself dictator, causing Urbina to distance himself in what would be the end of his political and military career. He died in Guayaquil on September 4, 1891 at the age of 83.

References

1. Battle of Miñarica. (sf). On Wikipedia. Retrieved: March 02, 2018. In Wikipedia at es.wikipedia.org.
2. José María Urbina. (sf). In Biographies and Lives. Retrieved: March 2, 2018. In Biographies and Lives of biografiasyvidas.com.
3. José María Urbina. (sf). In Alternative History. Retrieved: March 2, 2018. In Alternative History of es.althistory.wikia.com.
4. José María Urbina. (sf). In the guide. Retrieved: March 2, 2018. In The Guide of laqui2000.com.
5. José María Urbina. (sf). On Wikipedia. Retrieved: March 02, 2018. In Wikipedia at es.wikipedia.org.
6. Juan José Flores. (sf). On Wikipedia. Retrieved: March 02, 2018. In Wikipedia at es.wikipedia.org.
7. Presidents of Ecuador. (sf). By Andean Train. Retrieved: March 2, 2018. In Tren Andino de trenandino.com.