Calderón started his political ascend in Boyacá where he was judge in the Circuit court of Tunja, deputy in the Legislative Assembly, and Director of Education during the administration of José Eusebio Otálora.

During the Administration of Francisco Javier Zaldúa he was named Attorney General of the Nation.
On December 21, 1882, following the death of President Zaldúa, Calderón became President of Colombia in accordance to the presidential line of succession, which indicated that given the death of the sitting president, the presidency would fall to the first and second designates respectively, but at the time of Zaldúa's death the Designates, Rafael Núñez and José Eusebio Otálora were absent, and in this case, the Attorney General of Colombia would hold the executive power, thus making Calderón Reyes the 17th President of the United States of Colombia.

Calderón also worked as Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Colombian Consul general and Plenipotentiary to the United States.
Calderón started his political ascend in Boyacá where he was judge in the Circuit court of Tunja, deputy in the Legislative Assembly, and Director of Education during the administration of José Eusebio Otálora.
During the Administration of Francisco Javier Zaldúa he was named Attorney General of the Nation. On December 21, 1882, following the death of President Zaldúa, Calderón became President of Colombia in accordance to the presidential line of succession, which indicated that given the death of the sitting president, the presidency would fall to the first and second designates respectively, but at the time of Zaldúa's death the Designates, Rafael Núñez and José Eusebio Otálora were absent, and in this case, the Attorney General of Colombia would hold the executive power, thus making Calderón Reyes the 17th President of the United States of Colombia.
Calderón also worked as Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Colombian Consul general and Plenipotentiary to the United States.
Clímaco Calderón