Battle of El Yagual: Lanceros and Páez managed to defeat enemy forces

This Friday, October 11, marks 208 years since the Battle of El Yagual, which contributed to the country's emancipatory feat. In 1816, General José Antonio Páez led 700 men to victoriously face 1700 soldiers of the royalist troops, in the town of El Yagual, in the state of Apure.

Páez, who until then was Lieutenant Colonel, assumed the leadership and acted as Brigadier General; under his command generals Urdaneta and Serviez, as well as Santander and other Colonels and Commanders.

The battle was resolved in favor of the patriots, allowing for the early capture of Achaguas. Páez, had 700 men divided into three groups under the orders of Urdaneta, Santander and Serviez, who had a higher military hierarchy than that of Páez, however, they agreed to remain under his orders, to avoid division into the Republican Forces in the area.

In the place where the battle was fought, there is a commemorative monument called “Brazo de Páez”, which symbolizes an arm of the general with a spear used in combat.

After that victory, Páez grew up in the plains and among the patriot army. When Francisco de Paula Santander tried to assume command of the troops, they ignored him and only accepted Páez as head of the army of the Venezuelan plains.

Mazo News Team