In 1850, the province of Azuero was created in honor of Vicente de
Azuero y Plata. In 1855, with the establishment of the "Estado Federal de
Panamá", the province was divided into the departments of Los Santos and
Herrera. After the union with Colombia, and later with Panama becoming a
sovereign state, Los Santos underwent many political and administrative
changes. In 1941, with the presidency of Ricardo A. de la Guardia (1941–1945),
Los Santos and Herrera were established as one province, named Los Santos. By
the Decreto de Gabinete N° 13 of January 8, 1945; Herrera and Los Santos became
two different provinces