Francisco Ramírez Medina
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Francisco Ramirez Medina (born c.1828 in Puerto Rico) is the only person to be named "President of the Republic of Puerto Rico".
History has little to say about Ramirez Medina and his personal life; what is known however, is that he was a fervent believer in the independence movement of Puerto Rico. The movement was initially started and planned by Ramon Emeterio Betances and Segundo Ruiz Belvis against the Government of Spain which then ruled the island. Manuel Rojas, Mariana Bracetti and Mathias Brugman joined them by forming revolutionary cells in the island. Francisco Ramirez Medina amongst others also joined the movement.
On September 28, 1868, Manuel Rojas and his men captured the town of Lares. This event became known as "El Grito de Lares", Puerto Rico's call for independence. After this victory, Manuel Rojas and his men declared Puerto Rico a free Republic and appointed Government officials as follows:
- Francisco Ramirez Medina, President
- Aurelio Mendez, Minister of the Interior
- Manuel Ramirez, Minister of State
- Celedonio Abril, Minister of the Treasury
- Fedderico Valencia, Minister of War
- Clemente Millan, Minister of Justice
- Bernabe Poll, Secretary to the President
- Manuel Rojas, Commander in Chief of the Liberation Army
The insurrection however, was promptly defeated within just a few days by the Spanish forces. Francisco Ramirez Medina was captured and may have been executed for treason. His exact fate is unknown.
