Carlos Sanz de Santamaría
Encyclopedia
Carlos Sanz de Santamaría (23 April 1905 — 6 November 1992) was the 18th Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations
, and twice served as Ambassador of Colombia to the United States; he also served as the Chairman of the Inter-American Committee on the Alliance for Progress
, the precursor of the Organization of American States
. A Colombian civil engineer by training, he gained national acclaim for his work in the constructions of the aqueducts of Santa Marta
, Riohacha
, and Buenaventura, and the Vitelma Water Treatment Plant in Bogotá
, and was hoisted to the national stage for his endeavours first as Mayor of Bogotá and then went on to occupy different executive ministries including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and the Ministry of War, and serving as the 9th Ministry of Commerce, Industry and TourismMinister of National Economy and the 27th and 42nd Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (Colombia)Minister of Finance and Public Credit of Colombia.
in 1928 with a bachelor
in civil engineering
, and moved to France
to study at the École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées
, where he received his master's
in hydraulic engineering
in 1929. He was an associate member of the Societé des Ingenieurs Civiles de France (Engineer Society of France) since 1930, and a member of the Sociedad Colombiana de Ingenieros (Colombian Engineer Society) since 1932, of which it served twice as President.
Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations
The Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations is the Chief of Mission of the delegation of Colombia, and highest permanent representative of the Government of Colombia to the United Nations...
, and twice served as Ambassador of Colombia to the United States; he also served as the Chairman of the Inter-American Committee on the Alliance for Progress
Alliance for Progress
The Alliance for Progress initiated by U.S. President John F. Kennedy in 1961 aimed to establish economic cooperation between the U.S. and South America.-Origin and goals:...
, the precursor of the Organization of American States
Organization of American States
The Organization of American States is a regional international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States...
. A Colombian civil engineer by training, he gained national acclaim for his work in the constructions of the aqueducts of Santa Marta
Santa Marta
Santa Marta is the capital city of the Colombian department of Magdalena in the Caribbean Region. It was founded in July 29, 1525 by the Spanish conqueror Rodrigo de Bastidas, which makes it the oldest remaining city in Colombia...
, Riohacha
Riohacha
Riohacha, Rio Hacha or Rio de la Hacha , is a city in the Riohacha Municipality in the northern Caribbean Region of Colombia by the mouth of the Ranchería River and the Caribbean sea, capital city of the La Guajira Department. Founded by conquistador Nikolaus Federmann in 1535, Riohacha was named...
, and Buenaventura, and the Vitelma Water Treatment Plant in Bogotá
Bogotá
Bogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district...
, and was hoisted to the national stage for his endeavours first as Mayor of Bogotá and then went on to occupy different executive ministries including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Colombia)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also known as the Chancellery, is the national executive ministry of the Government of Colombia responsible for the foreign relations of Colombia through its diplomatic missions abroad by formulating foreign policy relevant to the matters of the State, it is...
and the Ministry of War, and serving as the 9th Ministry of Commerce, Industry and TourismMinister of National Economy and the 27th and 42nd Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (Colombia)Minister of Finance and Public Credit of Colombia.
Background
He graduated from the National University of ColombiaNational University of Colombia
The Universidad Nacional de Colombia , also called UNAL or just UN, is a public, national, coeducational, research university, located primarily in Bogotá, Medellín, Manizales and Palmira, Colombia...
in 1928 with a bachelor
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in civil engineering
Civil engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...
, and moved to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
to study at the École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées
École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées
Founded in 1747, the École nationale des ponts et chaussées , often referred to as les Ponts, is the world's oldest civil engineering school...
, where he received his master's
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in hydraulic engineering
Hydraulic engineering
This article is about civil engineering. For the mechanical engineering discipline see Hydraulic machineryHydraulic engineering as a sub-discipline of civil engineering is concerned with the flow and conveyance of fluids, principally water and sewage. One feature of these systems is the extensive...
in 1929. He was an associate member of the Societé des Ingenieurs Civiles de France (Engineer Society of France) since 1930, and a member of the Sociedad Colombiana de Ingenieros (Colombian Engineer Society) since 1932, of which it served twice as President.