Abstract

SOURDIS NAJERA, Adelaida. The last days of the Spanish government in Colombia. memorias [online]. 2010, n.13, pp.67-86. ISSN 1794-8886.

With the defeat of the Spaniards in Boyacá on August 7, 1819, Santafé, New Granada's vice regal capital fell into the hands of Colombian patriots, but the Spanish State remained. Viceroy Sámano and the Royal Audience fled to take refuge in Cartagena de Indias, where they continued to rule. The conflict between Sámano, a supporter of absolute power, and Gabriel de Torres, governor of Cartagena, follower of liberal ideas, soon rose. The Viceroy refused to swear the Constitution of Cadiz, restored in Spain in 1820, so the governor, based on this constitution, deposed him and took political and military power. Sámano went to Cuba and Torres became the sole and legitimate head of the Spanish State. He defended bravely this final possession of the monarchy, until, besieged by the Colombian army, commanded by Mariano Montilla, and at sea by José Padilla, was forced to surrender and hand over the stronghold to the Colombians, on October 10, 1821. He sailed with his troops to Cuba, never to return.

Keywords : Boards of Government; Cádiz Constitution; liberals; absolutism; Battle of Boyacá; Viceroy Sámano; Governor Gabriel de Torres; Cartagena's siege; Saint John's night.

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