Francisco de Paula Santander (April 2, 1792 - May 6, 1840), was one of the military and political leaders during Colombia's (then known as New Granada) independence struggle (1810-1819).

Given command of the guerrillas of the llanos by Simón Bolívar, Santander materially contributed to the victory at Boyacá. In Oct., 1821, he became vice president of Colombia and ably administered the country during Bolívar’s long absences. A believer in constitutional government, Santander led the federalist opposition to Bolívar, who, on Sept. 24, 1828, suspended him from office. That night Bolívar barely escaped assassination. Convicted without proof of complicity in the plot, Santander was sentenced to death, but was instead banished.

After Bolívar’s death and the dissolution of the republic of Greater Colombia, he returned and served (1832–36) as president of New Granada. His administration
was competent, but there were plots against his life and he maintained control only by force.