[1] De la Vega served in a number of political positions including as mayor of the municipal government of Cartago, a member of the Junta Superior Gubernativa of Costa Rica, and member and president of Congress.

Peralta married Ana Benita Nava López del Corral, the daughter of José Joaquín de Nava y Cabezudo (the governor then-province of Costa Rica), on 12 April 1783 in Cartago, Costa Rica.

On 29 October 1816 the widowed Peralta married Ana Basilia de Alvarado y Oreamuno.

In January of 1822, Peralta was elected to the Junta Superior Gubernativa which governed Costa Rica at the time.

Peralta opposed the union of the Central American provinces to Mexico and is credited with influencing movements towards independence in Costa Rica.