Anita Arnon

Santander is really opposed to Bolivar's attempts to reform something called the 1821 Constitution of Cucuta.

So what that was going to do was mandate a 10-year period of this imposition of a Bolivian constitution, which would feature something which he, Santander, couldn't stand, a lifelong president.

How can you have that?

That doesn't seem democratic.

Yeah, exactly.

Santander opposes Bolivar's attempts to reform the 1821 constitution before this legally mandated 10-year period that Bolivar wants of a constitution that will give you a lifelong president, right?

This Bolivian constitution that Bolivar is in favour of.

And Santander says, no, no.

Why?

Why would you have a lifelong president?

That's anti-democratic.

And then in 1828, you have another convention called the Ocaña Convention.

And at this one, Santander's supporters say, no, we're with him.

We're with that guy, not with you.

Your reforms are not okay.

Then you've got others calling for Bolivar to assume absolute power.

And that's what he does.

He becomes president liberator.

He abolishes the office of vice president.

Santander was his vice president.