He was a Mexican military, politician and government representative.

The information about his origin, family life and early years is unknown. He developed a military career and obtained the rank of artillery colonel.

He was elected Government Representative of Yucatan at the Cortes in March 1813 (parliament), joining them in February 1814, which is why he did not have time to participate in any commission or in the debates.

On his return to Mexico, he became involved in politics by joining the Confederación Patriótica, a liberal organization that advocates ties with Spain. With the return of the constitutional order in Cadiz in 1820, the Patriotic Confederation got the governor of Yucatan, Miguel Castro y Araoz, to recognize the Constitution, forcing him to resign later. Rivas Vértiz was then appointed interim political leader of Yucatán. After a turbulent mandate, he was replaced by Juan María Echeverri, appointed from the Iberian Peninsula as the new captain general and political chief in January 1821.

After the proclamation of Yucatan's independence, Rivas Vértiz was part of the commission that traveled to Mexico to communicate the decision to the government. He was elected representative to the first Mexican Constituent Congress. Along with the rest of the Yucatecan representatives, he decided not to attend the session of May 19, 1822, in which Agustín de Iturbide was proclaimed emperor.