Libertadores

This article is about the historical figures. For the South American football competition, see Copa Libertadores.

Libertadores (Spanish and Portuguese for "Liberators") refers to the leaders of the revolutions which gained the nations of Latin America independence from Spain and Portugal.

They were largely bourgeois criollos (local-born people of European ancestry, typically with Spanish or Portuguese ancestors) influenced by liberalism and, in most cases, with military training in the metropolis.

The most prominent Libertadores were Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín, who had a famous meeting in Guayaquil in 1822. They played a crucial part in the liberation and independence of most South American countries; Bolivar acting in the north and San Martín in the southern part of the continent.

Other prominent Libertadores include José Gervasio Artigas (Uruguay), Bernardo O'Higgins (Chile), José Miguel Carrera (Chile), Manuel Belgrano (Argentina) and Antonio José de Sucre (Venezuela), Joaquin Olmedo (Ecuador), who played an important role in a more local fashion.

Some caudillos might be also referenced as libertadores in a different context such as Francisco de Miranda (precursor to Bolivar), Manuel Rodríguez (Chile), and independence supporters and idealists such as José Bonifácio (Brazil), Eugenio Espejo, (Ecuador), Juan Pablo Duarte (Dominican Republic), and José Martí (Cuba).

Aftermath

The flags of Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador follow Francisco de Miranda's design of 1806. Also, Bolivia was named after Bolivar, who in turn was president of Colombia, Bolivia and twice of Venezuela. San Martín, who fought in Argentina, Chile, Peru and Ecuador, liberated Chile, proclaimed the independence of Peru, and was also president protector of Peru.

Liberators' names were used all over South America to name anything from towns and places to institutions and sports clubs. Also, the most prestigious international club football competition in South America is named the Copa Libertadores in their honour.