Santa Anna elected President of Mexico

Background. Following the fall of President Bustamante, an agreement brokered in 1832 led to new elections in 1833. Santa Anna, who had previously seized customs revenues in Veracruz, emerged as a liberal figure. He was elected president, while Valentín Gómez Farías, a liberal politician and medical doctor, was elected vice president, setting the stage for a shared executive arrangement.

Election. Elections were held in March 1833, resulting in the victory of Santa Anna and Gómez Farías. Santa Anna was formally elected president on 1 April 1833. Although he desired the title, he showed little interest in governing, preferring to delegate executive duties to his vice president during his frequent absences from office.

Delegation. Santa Anna turned the duties of government over to vice president Valentín Gómez Farías during his frequent absences. This arrangement allowed Gómez Farías to enact liberal reforms. However, Santa Anna eventually switched sides to the conservatives, leading to the deposition of Gómez Farías in April 1834, ending the period of shared power.