He was born in Valladolid (modern-day Morelia, Michoacán) on March 17, 1808, as the son of José Benito López Fernández and María de la Luz Uraga y Gutiérrez.

[1] He was then given command of the Fortín de la Ciudadela [es], the only external fort that was not taken by the Americans during the Battle of Monterrey and when General Pedro Ampudia ordered López to hand over the fortress and he had no choice but to do so, even if he personally disagreed.

When the Reform War broke out, López returned to side with the Liberals but lost a leg in combat and was taken prisoner in Guadalajara by the Conservatives.

When Carlota of Mexico left for Europe to seek support for her husband, López Uraga went with her as an escort, a fact that caused him to be considered a traitor to the country and revoked his ownership of the Islas Marías.

[3] After the victory of the Republicans and due to the Amnesty Law issued by the government of Don Benito Juárez, the former General López Uraga recovered ownership of the Islas Marías in 1878.