Rafael Rivas-Posada *67

Colombian lawyer, educator, and diplomat, Rafael died Aug. 30, 2024, in Bogotá.

Born in Bogotá April 5, 1932, he studied law at the Universidad Nacional, served as a municipal judge, then entered the University of Paris, where he studied civil and comparative law.

After working in the public sector, Rafael earned a master’s in public administration at the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague, and an M.A. in politics from Princeton in 1967.

In Colombia, Rafael alternated between the law and academia. At the Universidad del Valle and Universidad de los Andes, he became dean of the departments of political science, economics and social sciences, and arts and sciences, and president of the university.

As minister of education, he oversaw a cultural and educational cooperation agreement between Colombia and Cuba. Rafael’s diplomatic posts included deputy ambassador to the United Nations in New York; regional coordinator of UNESCO for Latin America and the Caribbean; delegate to the World Conference on Culture; and special representative of the secretary general of the United Nations for the study of the human-rights situation in Uruguay and Cuba.

Rafael was Colombia’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, the European Union, and the United Nations in Geneva.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Isabel; sons Rafael and Juan-Antonio ’87; and five grandchildren. 

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.