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Alberto Lleras Camargo

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Alberto Lleras Camargo was a prominent Colombian politician and journalist. He played a major role in the government of Colombia during the 20th century. He also helped shape international relations in the Americas. Lleras Camargo was a member of the Colombian Liberal Party. He served as President of Colombia during two different periods. His career included many important roles in both national and international leadership.

His journey into politics began in the city of Bogotá. In 1929, he was elected as a deputy assemblyman on the Bogotá city council. This was his first official entrance into the world of politics. By 1930, he became the Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Colombian Liberal Party. In 1931, he was elected to the Colombian Chamber of Representatives. During that same year, he became the first Liberal to preside over the Chamber in more than forty years.

Lleras Camargo worked closely with President Alfonso López Pumarejo.

Alfonso Lopez Pumarejo
Alfonso Lopez Pumarejo

After López Pumarejo was elected in 1934, Lleras Camargo was named a Cabinet Secretary. He served as the Minister of Government from 1935 until 1938. In 1938, he founded the newspaper El Liberal to support the president's re-election. He returned to the Chamber of Representatives in 1941 and presided over it again. When López Pumarejo was re-elected in 1942, Lleras Camargo was named Minister of Government once more.

His career included important diplomatic work as well. In 1943, he served as the Colombian Ambassador to the United States. In 1944, he helped protect the presidency of Darío Echandía during a coup attempt. In 1945, he became the Minister of Foreign Relations. In this role, he represented Colombia at the Chapultepec Conference. He also attended the United Nations Conference on International Organization in San Francisco. This conference led to the creation of the United Nations.

Lleras Camargo reached a high level of leadership at a very young age. In 1945, the Senate named him the Acting President of Colombia. He held this position until 1946. At only thirty-nine years old, he was one of the youngest acting presidents in Colombian history. During his time as acting president, two major things happened. The Constitutional Reform of 1945 was completed. Additionally, the Greater Colombian Merchant Fleet was founded.

After his first presidency, Lleras Camargo focused on journalism and international organization. He founded the news magazine Semana. In 1947, he was named Director of the Pan American Union. He led a restructuring effort that resulted in the founding of the Organization of American States in 1948. He served as its first Secretary General from 1948 to 1949. He later served a full five-year term from 1950 to 1954. During his second term, the organization became more consolidated as a hemispheric organization. This meant it had increased participation from countries across the continent.

Lleras Camargo returned to the presidency for a second time from 1958 to 1962. His long career included many different areas of service. He had been the Minister of National Education and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was also a congressman for Colombia. He was a cousin of Carlos Lleras Restrepo, who also became president. Lleras Camargo died in 1990 after suffering from a long illness. His work helped build the political and international structures used today.

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