Simon Bolivar was a patriot, statesman and liberator of five South American republics. His life was dedicated to the independence of the then Spanish colonies, and the dream of Latin American unity.
In 1810, he fought against the Spanish during a revolt in Venezuela and was forced to flee the country. Bolivar again invaded Venezuela again in 1817. He established a revolutionary government at Angostura, and he was elected president of Venezuela. In 1819, Bolivar’s army defeated the Spanish at Boyaca. Several months later, he became president of the newly formed republic of Colombia, consisting of Venezuela and New Granada.
In 1824, Bolivar led the revolutionary forces of Peru in their fight for independence. He was elected president of Peru in 1825, and later organized in Southern Peru a new republic, which was named Bolivia in his honour. Today he is known as ‘The Liberator’ His integrity, high morals, and perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds have made him a role model for many.