Pedro Vélez

Who was Pedro Vélez?

José Pedro Antonio Vélez de Zúñiga was a Mexican politician and lawyer. He was also head of the Governing Board of Mexico in 1829.

Vélez was born into a well-to-do family. He studied in Zacatecas and Mexico City, becoming a lawyer.

He occupied the post of justice minister and minister of religious affairs. He also became head of the Supreme Court during the presidency of Vicente Guerrero. Guerrero temporarily left the presidency to José María Bocanegra in 1829 to combat a rebellion in Jalapa, Veracruz, but Bocanegra was overthrown within a week . The Council of Government named a Supreme Executive Authority to occupy the presidency temporarily. As president of the Supreme Court, Vélez was named to lead this triumvirate, which also included General Luis de Quintanar and historian Lucas Alamán, leaders of the rebellion against Bocanegra. Quintanar was a strong supporter of Anastasio Bustamante, leader of the Plan de Jalapa against Guerrero and Guerrero's former vice-president.

Vélez was president between 23 and 31 December 1829, after which Bustamante assumed the presidency.

Thereafter Vélez retired to private life and the exercise of the legal profession. He again presided in the Supreme Court of Justice in 1844 and in January to April 1846. He died in Mexico City on 5 August 1848.