despite the opposition of radical liberals. Nevertheless, tensions with the Catholic Church led to strong intervention by Pope Pius IX, and his use of dictatorial measures (such as the closing of the ordinary sessions of Congress in 1867) led the opposition to orchestrate a coup d'état on May 23, 1867. His enemies were besides aware that Mosquera was ready to sue corrupted politicians that had taken advantage of the properties that belonged to the Catholic Church and were assigned to the poor ones. He was exiled for the three next years, during which he lived in Lima, where he wrote his book 'Cosmogonía. Estudio sobre los diversos sistemas de la creación del universo' (Cosmogony. A study of the diverse systems of the creation of the universe). Back in Colombia by 1871, he ran for president again but failed, although he was elected to the presidency of Cauca State until 1873. He was a senator again in 1876. He died October 7, 1878 in his farm Coconuco, in Puracé, close to Popayán. He was buried in the Panteón de los Próceres cemetery in Popayán. Works Vida de Bolívar ("Life of Bolívar," New York, 1853) Cosmogonía. Estudio sobre los diversos sistemas de la creación del universo ("Cosmogony. A study of the diverse systems of the creation of the universe," 1868) Memoria sobre geografía física y política de la Nueva Granada Notes External links Presidents of Colombia 1798 births 1878 deaths People from Popayán People excommunicated by the Catholic Church Colombian people of Galician descent Presidential Designates of Colombia Colombian Liberal Party politicians People of the Colombian War of Independence Colombian generals Leaders ousted by a coup 19th-century Colombian people Colombian Roman Catholics