ARTIGAS = Leader of the early Oriental movement for self determination for Banda Oriental (Uruguay). He fought Porteno, Royalist, Portuguese and Caudillo forces. After several defeats, he went into exile.

BELGRANO, Manuel = Porteno General who lead expeditions to Upper Peru and Paraguay. A good administrator but a poor field commander. He won and lost several key battles between 1810-1813. He died in 1820.

BOLIVAR, Simon = The key military commander of the Creole forces in the New Granada Theater. He did not win every battle but was persistent in resuming the resistance despite setbacks.

BOVES, Jose = The Royalist commander of the Llaneros ‘Infernales Legion’ in the Venezuela area. He conducted many massacres. KIA in 1814.

CANTERAC, Jose = Chief of Staff of the Royalist Army in Peru during the later years of the wars.

CARRERA Brothers = Three brothers from a prominent family in Chile. Fought the Royalists but also fought the O’Higgins faction for control of the country. All three were finally executed after numerous plots against O’ Higgins and the Chilean government. Jose was the last executed in 1821 after his Chilean Legion attacked several Argentine towns.

HIDALGO, Costilla = He lead the first major revolt against Spanish rule in Mexico. He was caught and executed in 1811. His main supporters were the Native Indians.

ITURBIDE, Agustin = Commander of the Royalist forces against the patriot movement of Hidalgo and Morales. He declared independence and established his own empire in 1821 after he felt that new Spanish policies were too liberal. He was executed in 1824.

LA SERNA, Jose = Last Roylist commander in Peru. Surrendered after Ayacucho.

MARINO, Santiago = A chief rival of Bolivar in Venezuela. Often considered a caudillo in eastern Venezuela. Joined Bolivar after his forces were smashed by Morillo.

MONTEVERDE, Juan = Royalist commander who defeated the early Creole forces in New Granada. He destroyed the First Rebulic. Replaced by Morillo in 1815.

MORALES = The Royalist commander of the Llaneros ‘Infernales Legion’ in the Venezuela area. He replaced Boves.

MORELOS, Jose = Patriot leader in mexico who replaced Hidalgo. He was a poor military leader and lost several battles. He was captured and executed in 1815.

MORILLO, Pablo = Commander of the entire Royalist army in New Granada from 1815-1820. One of their most successful leaders. He resigned and returned to Spain.

O’HIGGINS, Bernado = One of Chile’s main military leaders. After early defeats, he returned with San Martin’s liberation army to help free the country. He participated in many of the key battles that occurred in Chile.

OLANETA, Pedro = A Royalist leader in Upper Peru. He was killed in battle in 1825.

PAEZ, Jose = Key caudillo of the Venezuelan Llaneros. He joined the Creole cause and proved to be one of Bolivar’s best lieutenants.

PEZUELA, Joaquin = Effective Royalist commander in Upper Peru and later Viceroy of Peru until replaced by a coup in 1821.

PUMACAHUA, Mateo = Key Indian leader in Peru. Fought for and against the Royalist and Creole factions. He was caught and executed in 1815.

SAN MARTIN, Jose = One of the more successful of the Creole leaders. Though an Argentine, he was not an absolute Porteno. He wanted to primarily end Royalist power. He conducted the successful invasion across the Andes to liberate Chile.

SANTA ANNA, Antonio = Mexican caudillo who ousted Iturbide from power in 1822.

SUCRE, Antonio = One of Bolivar’s best lieutenants who lead successful Creole campaigns against the Royalists in Ecuador, Peru and Upper Peru.

Latin American Wars of Independence

Background Data
Key Terms and Definitions
Organization and Character of the Armies
Operations in Columbia, Ecuador, Venezuela
Operations in Upper Peru (Bolivia) and Argentina
Operations in Chile and Peru
Key Leaders
Bibliographic Appendix