209 years ago Simon Bolivar was appointed Supreme Leader of the Keys Expedition
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Published at: 07/02/2025 10:11 AM
On February 7, 1816, Simon Bolivar was proclaimed Supreme Chief of the Republic and its Armies, at an assembly held in Villa del Norte, now a town in Santa Ana, Margarita Island, which gave him full civil and military authority to organize the expedition that was to leave from that town to Venezuela.
The meeting was attended by the most prominent patriotic officials, including Santiago Mariño (who was elected second Chief), Juan Bautista Arismendi, Manuel Piar, Gregorio McGregor, Francisco Esteban Gómez, Manuel Valdés, Pedro María Freites and Carlos Soublette, among others.
With the loss of the Second Republic, Bolivar fell out of favor and some leaders, such as Santiago Mariño, believed it was time for other leaders, however, the decisive participation of the Haitian hero Alexandre Pétion and the figure of the Liberator himself paved the way.
Mariño was elected second leader and together with Bolívar, who led the return to Venezuelan territory, from where they had been expelled by the forces of the king of Spain.
Mazo News Team