Félix de la Peña

Who was Félix de la Peña?

Félix de la Peña was an Argentine politician, and governor of Córdoba Province, Argentina.

After accepting the resignation of Mariano Fragueiro, the Córdoba lower house of representatives named Félix de la Peña as interim governor on July 24, 1860, and a while later confirmed him to the post. He continued the work of his predecessor, dividing big departments into smaller areas to simplify their governance and administration. He created this way the San Justo Department, and Unión Department. His legislation started the first steam-powered mill in the province, increasing the production of flour, which along with leather products and mining became the main exports for the Cordoba economy.

After the assassination of San Juan Province governor, Antonino Aberastian, by the governor of San Luis Province, colonel Juan Saá, Félix de la Peña deplored this incident and made him responsible for this tragedy. The situation became tense when Saá marched the provincial troops towards Córdoba, forcing de la Peña to organize the provincial militia.

On May 18, 1861 congress authorized president Santiago Derqui to raise armies in the provinces of Córdoba, San Luis, Santa Fe, and Santiago del Estero. He simultaneously decided on federal intervention on Córdoba Province.