Mariano Melgarejo
Manuel Mariano Melgarejo Valencia (Tarata, Intendancy of Cochabamba, Spanish Empire, April 13, 1820-Lima, Peru, November 23, 1871) was a Bolivian military and politician, president of Bolivia from December 28, 1864 until his fall on January 15, 1871.
He assumed power in 1864 through a coup d'état to overthrow the constitutional president José María Achá, thus beginning his government that was popularly known as the Sexenio. He was a controversial personality; His dictatorship is remembered in Bolivia mainly for its deficient government administration and its abuses against the indigenous population, in addition to having signed territorial boundary treaties with Chile and Brazil in 1866 and 1867, which were very harmful to Bolivia.
On January 15, 1871, the Commander-in-Chief of the Army at that time, General Agustín Morales, together with the support of the people of La Paz, already tired of the despotic actions of the president for almost seven years, broke the fear and He rose up together with the population against Melgarejo, leading in the city of La Paz one of the fiercest, fiercest and most terrible battles in Bolivian history. At the end of that day, the raised people defeated the government troops, thus managing to overthrow the government of Mariano Melgarejo.
Once ousted from power, Melgarejo fled Bolivia for Chile, where he stayed for a few months. While he was in Santiago de Chile, he found out that Juana Sánchez, his lover, was living in the city of Lima, Peru. Consequently, Melgarejo decided to leave on a trip to that country, but, once he arrived in Lima, he was shot dead on November 23, 1871 by Juana's brother, José Aurelio Sánchez.
Its history in a certain way is riddled with myths, this due to the works of its enemies and detractors of its history that until now are taught as if they were true facts. The most well-known and widespread myth is that of bartering the territory held in the Mato Grosso region for a white horse.
Early Years
He was born on April 13, 1820 in the town of Tarata, present-day department of Cochabamba, Bolivia; belonging at that time to the territory of the Viceroyalty of Peru. He was the illegitimate son of Ignacia Melgarejo and José Linares.When he was born, his father did not recognize him as his legitimate son and abandoned him, which is why Mariano had to take his mother's last name, who raised him for his childhood. Along with her, Melgarejo grew up and lived her childhood in a humble home in her house and in the small town of Tarata, where his house still exists today.
Military life (1836-1864)
Mariano Melgarejo, like all the youngsters of his time, began his military career in the city of Cochabamba when he was very young. He initially started at the age of 16, joining the Bolivian army in 1836 with the rank of private. Melgarejo managed to be present in the different battles of the war against the Peru-Bolivian Confederation (1836-1839) during the government of Marshal Andrés de Santa Cruz. At the end of the war in 1839, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant.
In 1841, at the age of 21, Melgarejo participated in the battle of Ingavi, an international combat between Bolivia and Peru, with the rank of sergeant among the troops, under the command of Marshal José Ballivián Segurola. During the battle, Melgarejo managed to demonstrate a heroic performance of bravery on the battlefield, for which the Bolivian government promoted him to the officer rank with the rank of second lieutenant (second lieutenant).
After the battle of Ingavi, Marshal José Ballivián Segurola kept the young soldier Melgarejo at his side, with the aim of helping him defend his government against future opposition military uprisings. But it is worth mentioning that President Ballivián saw defects in the young soldier, which is why he kept him stationed at the borders, due to his conduct and dangerous behavior due to alcoholic beverages (very frequently).
Promotions
During his military career, Melgarejo managed to ascend in the military hierarchy by flattering his superiors, his willingness to participate in rebellions and some isolated acts of valor, although without intervening much in politics (until 1854). In the educational field, unlike the other soldiers of his time, Melgarejo was characterized by being poorly educated, but always willful:
- In 1836, he entered the Bolivian army with the rank of soldier (with 16 years).
- In 1839, he ascended to the rank of sergeant (with 19 years).
At this point it is worth mentioning that Melgarejo managed to enter the rank of officer in his promotion in 1841, promoted by the government of that time, after having fought heroically and bravely in the battle of Ingaví.
- In 1841, he was promoted to the second lieutenant. At present, a subtenant (21 years old).
- In 1846, he ascended to the rank of lieutenant first. At present, a lieutenant (26 years old).
- In 1850, he ascended to the rank of captain (with 30 years).
- In 1855, he was a senior (35 years old).
- In 1857, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (37 years old).
- In 1859, Bolivian President José María Linares personally promoted Melgarejo to the rank of colonel (with his 39 years), in gratitude for helping him to overthrow former President Jorge Córdova.
- In 1862, Bolivian President José María Achá personally ascended Melgarejo to the rank of Army General (with his 42 years), in gratitude for helping him overthrow former President José María Linares. This is the maximum degree that can be reached within the Army. In just 26 years, Mariano Melgarejo became a simple soldier (in 1836) to be the general of the entire Bolivian Army (in 1862).
- In 1864, he defeated the president who promoted him to general and Melgarejo became president of Bolivia (at age 44).
Political life (1854-1864)
_pg82_O_ME_SEGUIS,_CORACEROS,_O_ME_DESTAPO_LOS_SESOS.jpg)
Death penalty and presidential pardon
In 1854, at the age of 34 and with the rank of captain, Melgarejo appeared for the first time on the Bolivian public and political scene. At the beginning of that year, he mutinied with his troops, making a military uprising in the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, speaking out against the government of President Manuel Isidoro Belzú, but his revolt was quickly crushed by government troops, and he was captured and immediately taken to the city of Cochabamba to stand trial. During his trial, Melgarejo was tried and convicted of the crime of high treason against the homeland and armed uprising against the Bolivian state, being sentenced to death (according to Bolivian laws at the time).
When Melgarejo was in his cell, just awaiting his death sentence by firing squad (as befitted the military at that time), some ladies from the upper class of Cochabamba society (very close friends of his), met in person with President Manuel Isidoro Belzú in the government palace, to ask him for clemency and forgiveness for the life of Melgarejo, attributing his acts of revolt and military uprising to the excuse of alcoholism.
President Manuel Isidoro Belzú, acceding to the request, spared the life of Mariano Melgarejo, but later, and prophetically, told the women of Cochabamba that "someday they would regret it" of that action they had taken to ask for mercy for the life of a womanizing and drunk soldier. After this presidential pardon, Melgarejo was released and continued his military career.
As a paradox in history, it is worth mentioning that among the several ladies who asked for Melgarejo's life was the mother of the prestigious Bolivian poet and politician Néstor Galindo, who 11 years later (in 1865), would be cruelly shot by the Melgarejo's own government, in the battle of Cantería de Potosí.
Political conspiracies
_pg97_ULTIMO_INSTANTES_DEL_GENERAL_BELZU.jpg)
After his military revolt of 1854, Melgarejo acquired some notoriety and a moderate leadership among the army troops. The governments of the presidents Jorge Córdova (1855-1857) and José María Linares (1857-1861) (after Manuel Isidoro Belzú), considered him as a military man who should always be constantly stationed in distant borders, far from the main capital cities, this according to them, with the aim that he does not infect the other troops with his alcoholism and immorality and thus, at the same time, also avoid future military uprisings.
During the government of President Jorge Córdova (1855-1857), Melgarejo already held the rank of lieutenant colonel in the army. During that time he openly supported the conspiracies that the politician José María Linares had to overthrow President Córdova. That is why in September 1857, together with Colonel Plácido Yáñez, he helped in the coup, putting himself under the orders of Linares, organizing and commanding the barricades in the city of Cochabamba. During that battle, President Jorge Córdova was overthrown and Linares became president of Bolivia, which incidentally promoted him to the rank of colonel in 1859.
During the first months of José María Linares' government, Colonel Melgarejo initially supported him openly, but years later he rose up against him, until his fall. Once President Linares was overthrown from the presidency through a coup in 1861, carried out by General José María Achá. During this military uprising he changed sides, openly supporting the coup of General Achá.
Rise to power
He fought several battles on behalf of President José María de Achá, who in return gave him his friendship and full confidence, promoting Melgarejo to the rank of army general in 1862. During that time, at the beginning of 1864 The rumor spread in Bolivian society about the deceit and infidelity that the wife of President Achá was carrying out together with General Melgarejo.
When such a secret of the lovers was discovered, the morale and health of the president José María Achá seriously declined, as well as his respect towards the army, being discredited by the opposition. His wife would suddenly die weeks later, also afflicted with a serious illness in August 1864.
President of Bolivia (1864-1871)
In December 1864, taking advantage of the delicate health of President José María Achá, Melgarejo rose up militarily against him, and together with his troops carried out a coup against the Achá government, overthrowing it from power. Mariano Melgarejo rose to the Presidency of Bolivia on December 28, 1864 at the age of 44.
Assassination of former President Belzú
Former President Belzú, who was in exile in Europe, then returned to Bolivia to challenge General Melgarejo for power, breaking out a civil war. At the beginning of 1865, Belzú's troops controlled part of the country and the army, so on March 23 of the same year, Melgarejo asked to meet with him in the city of La Paz under the pretext of ending the conflict. However, as soon as he entered the Palacio Quemado for the interview, Melgarejo and his men searched for Belzú and murdered him. New investigations give possible the theory that since Melgarejo's inseparable revolver failed (the seller found out that only 1 bullet came out of 5 shots), then the shot that killed Belzú came from the revolver of a soldier who was behind him helping in the rebellion.
According to legend, when the presence of Melgarejo became known, a crowd gathered in the central square in front of the Bolivian Government Palace cheering Belzú, but then Melgarejo appeared on a balcony with Belzú's corpse and announced "Belzú is dead. Who lives now?". It is said that the crowd replied: "Long live Melgarejo!".
Administration
After proclaiming himself president of Bolivia, and having installed himself as such, Melgarejo proceeded to rule without rivals but with much incompetence. One of his first measures was to violently suppress the opposition and violate the traditional rights of the indigenous population, declaring that the lands owned by the native communities would be owned by the State. With this, he ordered the violent eviction of the communities to grant the lands to allied landowners, an aggression that had not even been carried out during the Spanish domination. He also abolished municipalities and local governments, refusing to appoint even his supporters as mayors.
Melgarejo entrusted the public administration to his chancellor, a young lawyer named Mariano Donato Muñoz, especially in foreign policy. Shortly after assuming power, he was visited by a young woman from a wealthy family from La Paz named Juana Sánchez, who asked Melgarejo for clemency for her brother Aurelio Sánchez, sentenced to death. Melgarejo not only spared the defendant's life but also took Juana Sánchez as his concubine after holding her in Palacio Quemado for three consecutive days. Totally passionate about the young La Paz (who succumbed to the general's personality), Melgarejo gave her and her family great influence over the government, which the Sánchez mischievously took advantage of to enrich themselves at the expense of the treasury.
Melgarejo's management was increasingly erratic and unstable, while the dictator spent much of his time in orgies with Juana Sánchez, as or more lustful than the general himself and being herself addicted to alcohol. In 1866, Melgarejo entered into a border treaty with Chile, establishing the common border but recognizing all of the Chilean commercial interests in the exploitation of nitrate on the Bolivian coast of Antofagasta, practically without Bolivia obtaining any compensation other than the " right" to collect taxes in their own territory. Later, in 1867, he negotiated with the Empire of Brazil the sale of 102,400 km² of Bolivian territory (then belonging to Acre) by signing the Treaty of Ayacucho, in exchange for the payment of two million pounds sterling and the Brazilian commitment to build the Madeira railway. - I sucked. In 1868, Melgarejo promulgated a new constitution forced by himself, granting himself absolute powers over the public administration and attributing to his position, literally, the power to "persecute and kill opponents&# 34;, ending the promulgation ceremony with a banquet (and consequent orgy) where he made Juana Sánchez participate completely naked.
War of the Triple Alliance (1864-1870)
In 1864, Paraguay had been invaded by three countries at once such as Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay (War of the Triple Alliance (1864-1870)). Melgarejo expressed his solidarity with Paraguay giving his full support to this nation. But his supposed support remained only in words, since Melgarejo in fact maintained a neutral attitude and never mobilized troops to help Paraguay.
Franco-Prussian War (1870)
In July 1870, when Prussia invaded France (starting the Franco-Prussian War), Melgarejo asked one of his high-ranking generals to immediately send Bolivian troops to help the French army in the defense of Paris, a a city with which Melgarejo was fascinated by stories of sophistication and elegance, but which he did not even know how to locate on a map. The Bolivian general replied that the plan was impossible, since it would take a long time to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Enraged, Melgarejo replied Don't be silly! We'll take a shortcut!".
Blinded by anger, Melgarejo arranged to gather a troop of 3,000 men to embark for Europe and "rescue France". Arriving in Oruro, in a horse race he suffered a foot fracture that detained him for a month, and there he planned to cross the Amazon jungles of Brazil to reach the Atlantic Ocean and reach Europe. Resuming his march, Melgarejo heard that France had already capitulated to Prussia but refused to believe such events. In mid-November he was informed that Great Britain was expelling Bolivian residents on British soil and refusing to recognize the existence of Bolivia, in retaliation Melgarejo had expelled the British ambassador, without first beating him. While all this was happening, the city of Potosí rose up against the government.
Fall
Alarmed, Melgarejo attacked Potosí and crushed the revolt through a series of massacres and cruelties, but he soon drew up new plans when it was learned that, taking advantage of his absence, La Paz, Cochabamba, and other cities had also joined a general uprising. Melgarejo gathered his troops and marched on La Paz, but soon his men began to desert en masse. Especially after getting rid of his most loyal men like José María Calderón, Melgarejo weakened himself greatly. Finally, on January 15, 1871, his battered army was completely defeated by the Army Commander, General Agustín Morales.
Melgarejo was abandoned to his fate, lacking troops and allies, having to flee to Chile to save his life. Almost destitute, Melgarejo learned in Chile that Juana Sánchez and her family had fled to Lima (Peru) with part of her wealth. The ousted dictator managed to borrow money and went to Lima in search of his former partner, but Juana Sánchez refused to receive the ruined Melgarejo at her residence, who spent days in front of the building clamoring to be admitted by his concubine. Finally, Melgarejo was shot to death on November 23 of the same year in front of Juana's house, at the hands of her former brother-in-law Aurelio Sánchez.
Personality
The almost reckless courage and brutal stubbornness of Melgarejo are the stuff from which legends feed, as in the popular anecdotes still in circulation, 150 years after his death, about things that supposedly did or not.
Melgarejo was said to have given an immense amount of land to Brazil in exchange for what he described as a "magnificent white horse". The stories say that a Brazilian minister appeared before Melgarejo with a white horse and other gifts. To show his appreciation, Melgarejo took a map of Bolivia, marked it with the horse's hoof, and gave that land, hotly contested by indigenous Bolivians, as a gift to the Brazilian government. This and other incidents, such as the possession and sale of land in the altiplano (the high plateau) to the highest bidder, deprived virtually all indigenous people of their land within a few decades.
They also say that once a guard noticed that Mariano Melgarejo (who couldn't read) took a newspaper, but upside down. When the guard informed him about his mistake, Melgarejo replied: & # 34; Damn! He who knows how to read, just reads".
The loyalty that his subordinates had for him was mixed with fear: on one occasion, while at a social gathering on the second floor of the government palace, he called his presidential guard and ordered them to march forward. When the soldiers reached the balcony of the palace they had to continue marching until they fell to the floor of Plaza Murillo. It is said that there were some fractures, but no deaths. If they disobeyed Melgarejo's direct order, another would have been his fate.
But this noble man for some, and despotic tyrant for others, had great signs of compassion and coldness; in the morning he could execute a simple soldier and in the evening he could spare the life of a traitor, he could humiliate and make proud. He was a man with a single indisputable virtue, his courage; Passionate about the arts and the beautiful facts of life, a devout Catholic, he could laugh out loud when he saw a town burn, or cry when a child cried. The closest people knew how unstable Melgarejo's personality was.
Currently in the Church of Tarata, there is a skull embedded in one of its walls that is attributed to that of Melgarejo, and it is a popular belief that this skull can grant wishes to whoever asks for it.
Contenido relacionado
Addendum: Magic in Harry Potter
Etruria
100 years of comics