Diego Vigil Cocaña
Encyclopedia
Diego Vigil Cocaña was a Central American politician. He was the last president of the Federal Republic of Central America
(1839–40), during its disintegration. He was also chief of state of the federal states of Honduras (1829) and El Salvador
(1836–37 and 1837–38).
, and was among his closest fellow combatants. Vigil studied law at the University of León in León, Nicaragua
, and was afterwards temporarily active as a lawyer and notary in Tegucigalpa.
In 1824 he was a member of the federal parliament. In 1826-27 he was governor of the province of Tegucigalpa, but after the occupation of that city by the troops of federal President Manuel José Arce
, he was arrested. When Morazán reconquered Honduras, Vigil was freed.
During his term of office, the Legislative Assembly dissolved the religious communities in Honduras. Their goods passed to the state, and several monasteries and other buildings were occupied as public buildings.
During his administration a cholera
epidemic broke out in El Salvador, spread by pilgrims returning from the shrine of Esquipulas
. Because of the cholera, the government stopped all payments except for public employees, in order to devote the resources to fighting the epidemic. By January 1837, the cholera had spread to all the populations of the state. The state government established sanitary committees to meet in the capitals of the departments.
In March 1836 Licenciado and General Nicolás Espinoza
, former chief of state of the state of El Salvador, was expelled from the state, and his title of Benemerito de la Patria was withdrawn.
On 8 January 1837, the Legislative Assembly passed the annual budget, totaling 85,028 pesos. It also authorized the introduction of water into the town of San Miguel
.
On 23 May 1837 an insurrection of natives in Zacatecoluca and Cojutepeque
broke out, with much killing and pillaging. On the same day, the office of chief of state passed from Vigil to Timoteo Menéndez
. Vigil returned to office six weeks later, on 7 July.
In June 1837 a revolutionary movement erupted in Santa Ana
, but it was suppressed. The government decreed amnesty for the participants in the various revolutionary movements.
On 6 January 1838, Timoteo Menéndez again became chief of state.
by the rebel forces of Rafael Carrera
, Vigil was selected to succeed him (1 February 1838). Morazán was then in his second term as president of the federation.
On 1 February 1839, Morazán turned the presidency over to Vigil. Nicaragua, Honduras and Costa Rica had withdrawn from the federation in 1838, and soon Guatemala followed suit (17 April 1839). This left the "federation" with only one member, El Salvador. On 31 March 1840, El Salvador dissolved the federation and Vigil's term came to an end.
, Vigil settled in Granada, Nicaragua
, where he remained until his death in 1845.
Federal Republic of Central America
The Federal Republic of Central America, known as the United Provinces of Central America in its first year of creation, was a sovereign state in Central America, which consisted of the territories of the former Captaincy General of Guatemala of New Spain...
(1839–40), during its disintegration. He was also chief of state of the federal states of Honduras (1829) and El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
(1836–37 and 1837–38).
Background and early political career
Diego Vigil was the son of José Vigil Fernández and Josefa Cocaña Fábrega. He was related to the Central American Liberal leader, general and president, Francisco MorazánFrancisco Morazán
General Francisco Morazán was a Honduran general and a politician who ruled several Central American states at different times during the turbulent period from 1827 to 1842. He rose to prominence at the legendary Battle of La Trinidad on November 11, 1827...
, and was among his closest fellow combatants. Vigil studied law at the University of León in León, Nicaragua
León, Nicaragua
León is a department in northwestern Nicaragua . It is also the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. It was founded by the Spaniards as Santiago de los Caballeros de León and rivals Granada, Nicaragua, in the number of historic Spanish colonial homes and churches...
, and was afterwards temporarily active as a lawyer and notary in Tegucigalpa.
In 1824 he was a member of the federal parliament. In 1826-27 he was governor of the province of Tegucigalpa, but after the occupation of that city by the troops of federal President Manuel José Arce
Manuel José Arce
General Manuel José Arce y Fagoaga was a decorated General and president of the Federal Republic of Central America from 1825 to 1829.- Background :...
, he was arrested. When Morazán reconquered Honduras, Vigil was freed.
As chief of state of Honduras
After Morazán's victory in the Battle of Trinidad (10 November 1827), the Legislative Assembly of Honduras named Vigil vice-chief of state on 27 November 1827. Morazán later made him chief of state of Honduras (7 March 1829 to 2 December 1829).During his term of office, the Legislative Assembly dissolved the religious communities in Honduras. Their goods passed to the state, and several monasteries and other buildings were occupied as public buildings.
As chief of state of El Salvador
General Morazán made him chief of state of the state of El Salvador, effective 1 February 1836. He served until 23 May 1837, and then again from 7 July 1837 to 6 January 1838.During his administration a cholera
Cholera
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine that is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The main symptoms are profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking or eating water or food that has been contaminated by the diarrhea of an infected person or the feces...
epidemic broke out in El Salvador, spread by pilgrims returning from the shrine of Esquipulas
Esquipulas
Esquipulas is a town in the Guatemalan departmentof Chiquimula on the border with Honduras. It serves as the municipal seat for the surrounding municipality of the same name...
. Because of the cholera, the government stopped all payments except for public employees, in order to devote the resources to fighting the epidemic. By January 1837, the cholera had spread to all the populations of the state. The state government established sanitary committees to meet in the capitals of the departments.
In March 1836 Licenciado and General Nicolás Espinoza
Nicolás Espinoza
Nicolás Espinoza , general and licenciado, governed the State of El Salvador from April 10, 1835 to November 15, 1835...
, former chief of state of the state of El Salvador, was expelled from the state, and his title of Benemerito de la Patria was withdrawn.
On 8 January 1837, the Legislative Assembly passed the annual budget, totaling 85,028 pesos. It also authorized the introduction of water into the town of San Miguel
San Miguel, El Salvador
San Miguel is the fourth most populous city in El Salvador after Santa Ana and Soyapango and the second most important after San Salvador. It is located 138 km east of the capital, San Salvador. It is also the capital of the department of San Miguel and a municipality...
.
On 23 May 1837 an insurrection of natives in Zacatecoluca and Cojutepeque
Cojutepeque
Cojutepeque is the capital city of El Salvador's Cuscatlán department. It also serves as the administrative centre for the surrounding municipality of Cojutepeque...
broke out, with much killing and pillaging. On the same day, the office of chief of state passed from Vigil to Timoteo Menéndez
Timoteo Menéndez
Timoteo Menéndez was a Salvadoran politician. Twice he served as acting head of state of El Salvador, when it was a state within the Federal Republic of Central America ....
. Vigil returned to office six weeks later, on 7 July.
In June 1837 a revolutionary movement erupted in Santa Ana
Santa Ana, El Salvador
Santa Ana is the second largest city in El Salvador, located 64 kilometers west of San Salvador, the capital city. Santa Ana has approximately 274,830 inhabitants and serves both as the capital of the department of Santa Ana and...
, but it was suppressed. The government decreed amnesty for the participants in the various revolutionary movements.
On 6 January 1838, Timoteo Menéndez again became chief of state.
As president of the federal republic
After federal Vice President Gregorio Salazar was killed during the occupation of Guatemala CityGuatemala City
Guatemala City , is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Guatemala and Central America...
by the rebel forces of Rafael Carrera
Carrera
Carrera, de la Carrera or Karrera is a surname originated in Venice, Italy. Later, also a Basque surname from Alegría de Oria and Amezketa, in Guipúzcoa . Other references show that is a Castilian surname...
, Vigil was selected to succeed him (1 February 1838). Morazán was then in his second term as president of the federation.
On 1 February 1839, Morazán turned the presidency over to Vigil. Nicaragua, Honduras and Costa Rica had withdrawn from the federation in 1838, and soon Guatemala followed suit (17 April 1839). This left the "federation" with only one member, El Salvador. On 31 March 1840, El Salvador dissolved the federation and Vigil's term came to an end.
Later years
On 8 April 1840 Diego Vigil and Francisco Morazán sailed from El Salvador for Costa Rica and Panama. After Morazán's execution on 15 September 1842 in San José, Costa RicaSan José, Costa Rica
San José is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica. Located in the Central Valley, San José is the seat of national government, the focal point of political and economic activity, and the major transportation hub of this Central American nation.Founded in 1738 by order of Cabildo de León, San...
, Vigil settled in Granada, Nicaragua
Granada, Nicaragua
Granada is a city in western Nicaragua and the capital of the Granada Department. With an estimated population of 110,326 , it is Nicaragua's fourth most populous city. Granada is historically one of Nicaragua's most important cities, economically and politically...
, where he remained until his death in 1845.