Eliseo Payán

José Eliseo Payán Hurtado (August 1, 1825 – June 30, 1895) was a Colombian lawyer, politician, and military officer. Payán as Vice President of Colombia assumed the Presidency of Colombia because of the absence of President Rafael Núñez in 1887.

Payán was born in Santiago de Cali on August 1, 1825. Payán studied in the Colegio Santa Librada, in Cali, and later graduated as a lawyer, profession he practiced mostly in the city of Buga along with commerce and other administrative jobs. He also founded the Democratic Society of Buga and produced a newspaper, El Sentimiento Democrático, with the help of Manuel Antonio Scarpetta and Ramón Mercado.

Payán joined the army, and most of the time was under the orders of liberal commanders. In 1840, Payán participated in the War of the Supremes under the command of General José María Obando, fighting against the army of President José Ignacio de Márquez. Later, in 1854, he joined the army of José Hilario López in the battles against José María Melo.

Payán became a general in the army and participated in the Colombian Civil War of 1860–1862 supporting General Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera against the legitimate and constitutional government of conservative President Mariano Ospina Rodríguez.

General Payán intervened in the Colombian Civil War of 1876 to defend the government of Aquileo Parra. At the battle of Los Chancos, he was taken prisoner by the conservative forces. General Julián Trujillo, commander of the Caucan Army, appointed him brigadier of a revolutionary division. He was able to confront and defeat the conservative forces in Antioquia at the Battle of Batero.

In 1879, he organized an army to topple the president of the State of Cauca. Governor Garcés was deposed, and Payan gave control to a civilian, Ezequiel Hurtado, who was then elected as President of the State of Cauca.

In 1885, Payán joins the forces of conservative President Rafael Núñez in the civil war against the liberal rebels. After the war, Núñez appoints him as Minister of War.

After the war, Payán began his political career in the Provincial Chamber of Cauca, where he became known for his oratory skills. Between 1854 and 1855, Payán served in the Congress of Colombia as the representative for Cauca.

After being re-elected President of Cauca, Payán, who had also being elected Vice President of Colombia, had to resign his post in Cauca to replace the ailing sitting president Núñez. He assumed office on January 6, 1887, and served as president until June 4. He once again was called to replace President Núñez on December 13, 1882, to February 8, 1888, while the President recovered. During his control of the presidency, Payán decreed the absolute freedom of press in the nation, a policy that created great controversy, which forced him to resign as vice president after the constant struggles with his opponents in Congress and the President himself.

He died in Buga on June 30, 1895.