A Decisive Event in the History of Argentina
On August 23, 1810, in a remote place known as Monte de los Papagayos, one of the most shocking decisions in Argentine history was carried out. A squadron of liberation forces carried out the condemnation of Santiago de Liniers, the Spanish viceroy of the Río de la Plata, along with other pro-Spanish leaders. This act marked a milestone in the struggle for independence in the region that would later become Argentina.
The Context of the May Revolution
Liniers’ execution did not occur in a vacuum, but within the framework of the May Revolution, a movement that had established a new government in the viceroyalty. In this new order, a president and a group of six ministers, most of whom were criollos, led the way to independence, while Catalan figures such as Domenec Matheu and Joan Larreu also played key roles.
Colonial Resistance
Following the proclamation of independence, the colonial forces retreated to Córdoba, where they attempted to regroup and form an army. However, the lack of loyalty of the soldiers and the rapid advance of the independentists led to a collapse in their ranks, culminating in the capture of the top leadership of the colonial government in August 1810.
The Singular Relationship of Liniers with the Catalans
Santiago de Liniers had an interesting connection with the Catalan community in Buenos Aires, which numbered approximately 5,000 members, representing 15% of the city’s population. During the British invasions of 1806 and 1807, the Catalans formed militias to defend the territory, creating the well-known militia of the Migueletes de Catalunya. However, after the victory over the British, Liniers forced a name change to ‘Tercio de Miñones de Cataluña’, due to the political connotations of the term ‘Migueletes’.
The Implications of Repression
Liniers’ repression of the Migueletes reflects the delicate balance of power in the viceroyalty, where echoes of previous conflicts, such as the war of succession, still resonate. This decision was not only a question of military control, but also of managing identities and loyalties in a time of profound social and political transformations.
Reflections on the Legacy of 1810
The outcome of Liniers and the May Revolution not only defined the course of Argentine independence, but also laid the groundwork for future tensions between different ethnic and political groups in the region. The history of these events reminds us how the decisions of a day can change the course of a nation, a legacy that is still felt in contemporary Argentina.
