José María Liceaga (1780 – 1818) was a soldier, medical doctor and landowner from New Spain who was a key figure in the Mexican War of Independence. Born in 1780 in Romita, Guanajuato, he saw rising tensions between Mexico and Spain. He was the representative of the province of Guadalajara, and was one of the signatories of the Solemn Act of the Declaration of Independence of Northern America and the Constitutional Decree for the Freedom of Mexican America. He was also one of the signatories of the Declaration of Independence for Mexico. In 1818, he was assassinated due to a loan that he had avoided paying.
Early life Liceaga was born in 1780 in Romita, Guanajuato. He was the son of Manuel de Liceaga and María Josefa Reyna. He studied medicine in hopes of becoming a doctor. After finishing his studies, he decided to go join the army.
Military career In 1810, after the outbreak of the Mexican War of Independence, he joined up with Miguel Hidalgo, and was appointed lieutenant colonel. On October 30, 1810, he took part in a battle at Monte de las Cruces, known as the Battle of Calderón Bridge. Miguel's troops confronted and defeated the royalist soldiers. However, Liceaga decided to take over after Miguel's execution and continued through northwestern Mexico. In 1817, he decided to retire from the military.
Political career Liceaga was appointed as member of the Zitacuaro Council. In 1813, he served as the representative of Guadalajara in the Congress of Chilpancingo.
Assassination In 1818, Liceaga was assassinated by Captain Juan Ríos, who at the time was under the command of insurgent commander Miguel Borja. Historians later determined that the reason for Liceaga's assassination was Rios loaning Liceaga 1,000 pesos, which Liceaga failed to pay back.
Legacy A statue was built in Romita in honor of him on behalf of the mayor.
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