He was the son of Ernesto Aponte Mendoza, who had fought at World War II with the 65th Infantry Regiment, and Justina de la Torre.
Aponte became a schoolteacher and directed the Vocational School of Carolina, Carlos F. Daniels, before joining the politics of the island.
He joined the Popular Democratic Party and was elected as the mayor of Carolina in 1984, succeeding Roberto Iglesias Pérez.
[2] The State Government Services Building in Carolina was named after former Mayor Jose Aponte de la Torre.
[3] The Municipal Service Center in the Isla Verde sector of Carolina was named after José Aponte de la Torre.