José María Rojas Garrido (June 7, 1824 – July 18, 1883) was a Colombian Senator, and statesmen, who as the first Presidential Designate became Acting President of the United States of Colombia in 186.. Read more »6 during the absence of President elect Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera. He was a prominent journalist for several Liberal Party newspapers, and is considered one of the most important orators in Colombia's history.