He is known as one of the heroes and martyrs of the independence of Colombia shot on November 29, 1816, during the reconquest of New Granada by order of Pablo Morillo.

The centralist alternative, led by the Bogotá elite, proposed political-administrative centralization, without a clear separation from Spain, under the authority of the King.

In 1816 he had to hide after the royalist invasion during the reconquest of the territory, although he was finally arrested and taken to Santafe, where he spent a long time in prison along with other revolutionaries.

However, during the festivities held to celebrate Colombia's Centennial of Independence, his remains were unearthed and moved to the Cathedral of Tunja.

In order to honor his memory, a new grave was prepared for him, and an inscription was placed on it which reads: "He who dies for his country lives eternally."

The latter conquered and settled in the province of Santa Marta before moving to Tunja, where he started a family and gave rise to the Niño lineage in New Granada, which is now present-day Colombia.

Over time, members of this family played a significant role in the New Kingdom of Granada and the eventual Independence of Colombia.