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Front: Simón Bolívar (1783-1830), South American revolutionary leader

Bolívar was born in Caracas, Venezuela. He led the fight for independence in what are now the countries of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama and Bolivia. He served as the first president of Bolivia when it became independent from Spain in 1824. Bolívar is revered as a hero in these countries and throughout much of the rest of Hispanic America.

Back: 1578 Caracas city map

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Front: José Antonio Páez (1790-1873), Venezuelan president

Páez led a group of guerrillas against the Spanish from 1810 to 1819. He aided Simón Bolívar at the battle of Carabobo in 1821. He drove the Spanish from their last Venezuelan stronghold at Puerto Cabello in 1823. He later led the separatist movement that disrupted Bolívar's Colombian republic. Páez was President of Venezuela 1831-35 and 1839-43. He commanded unsuccessful revolutions 1848-1849 against José T. Monagas, his own choice for president, and was exiled. He returned in 1861 to become supreme dictator. Two years later he again went into exile and died in New York City.

Back: Monument to commemorate the Battle of Carabobo

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Front: Andrés Bello (1781-1865), writer, diplomat, and senator

Bello served as Venezuela's diplomatic representative in London, Chile and Colombia. He was appointed Rector of the Santiago College in 1830. He was elected Senator and held other government offices in Chile. In 1842 He founded the Universidad de Chile and served as its Rector for the rest of his life.

Back: National Bank

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Front: Antonio Jose de Sucre (1795-1830), military and political leader

Sucre fought for Latin American independence from Spanish rule. At the age 15 he was already fighting in Venezuela and Colombia. He was accepted as the Venezuelan leader at age 26. Simón Bolívar appointed him a general, with the task of liberating Ecuador. Sucre defeated Spanish forces at Quito on May 21, 1822. In August 1824 he won the battle of Junín in Colombia and later routed a Spanish army in Ayacucho, Peru.

In 1825 Sucre established a Bolivian government, with himself as president. Political opposition forced him to resign and returned to Ecuador in 1828. In 1829 he successfully defended Ecuador against invading Peruvians. He was assassinated on June 4, 1830 by followers of José María Obando, a military foe of Bolívar.

Back: Battle of Ayacucho

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Front: Andrés Bello (1781-1865), writer, diplomat, and senator

Bello served as Venezuela's diplomatic representative in London, Chile and Colombia. He was appointed Rector of the Santiago College in 1830. He was elected Senator and held other government offices in Chile. In 1842 He founded the Universidad de Chile and served as its Rector for the rest of his life.

Back: Pico Bolivar mountain range