Manuel Rojas

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Manuel Rojas (1820 – 18??), born in Caracas, Venezuela from a Puerto Rican father and a Venezuelan mother was one of the main leaders of the Grito de Lares uprising against the Spanish colonial government in 1868.

Drawing of Manuel Rojas

In the early 1800s Venezuela's economy was in turmoil because of internal wars. The Rojas family moved to Puerto Rico and settled down, close to the town of Lares. Rojas grew up in a region which was mountainous and whose main income came from the coffee crop. Manuel and his brother, Miguel eventually bought and cultivated a 300 acre (1.2 km²) coffee plantation. The successful plantation was called "El Triunfo", and both men became wealthy merchants.

Manuel lived with his family in the plantation. His brother Miguel meet Mariana Bracetti, whom he was to marry, while on a trip to Añasco. Soon Miguel and Mariana also moved to "El Triunfo" where they all lived.

Rojas admired Ramon Emeterio Betances and together with his brother, Miguel joined Betances in his quest for Puerto Rico's independendence. A "Revolution Committee of Puerto Rico" was formed and directed by Betances and Segundo Ruiz Belvis from the Dominican Republic. Several revolutionary cells were formed in the towns and cities in the western part of the island. They were to support the armed invasion that Betances had planned to bring from the Dominican Republic.

Condition of Manuel Rojas house in 1960

Two of the most important cells were that of Mayagüez, whose leader was Mathias Brugman and code named "Capa Prieto" and that of Lares, code named "Centro Bravo" and headed by Manuel Rojas. "Centro Bravo" was the main center of operations and was located in the Rojas plantation. Manuel Rojas was named "Commander of the Liberation Army" by Betances. Mariana Bracetti (wife of Miguel) was named "Leader of the Lares Revolutionary Council". Upon the request of Betances, Bracetti knitted the revolutionary Flag of Lares known as "La Bandera de Lares".

The Spanish authorities found out about the plot and were able to confiscate the armed ship which Betances had, before it arrived in Puerto Rico. The Mayor of the town of Camuy, Manuel Gonzalez (whom also happened to be the leader of that town's revolutionary cell) was arrested and charged with treason. He was able to hear that the Spanish Army was aware of the independence complot. He then escaped and was able to warn Manuel Rojas.

Because of this event, the revolutionists decided to start the revolution as soon as possible and set the date for September 28, 1868. Mathias Brugman and his men joined up with Manuel Rojas's men and with about 800 men and women, marched and took the town of Lares. This was to be known as "El Grito de Lares". The revolutionists entered the town's church and placed the revolutionary flag knitted by Bracetii on the High Altar as a sign that the revolution had began. They declared Puerto Rico to be the "Republic of Puerto Rico" and named Francisco Ramirez President of the Republic of Puerto Rico.

Manuel and his poorly armed followers proceeded to march on to the town of San Sebastian, armed only with clubs and machettes. The Spanish Army had been forewarned and were waiting for them with superior fire power. When the revolutionists arrived, they were met with deadly fire.

The revolt failed and many of the revolutionists were killed and at least 475 including, Manuel Rojas and Mariana Bracetii were imprisoned in the jail of Arecibo and sentenced to death. Some of them fled and went into hiding. Mathias Brugman was hiding in a local farm when a farm hand by the name of Francisco Quiñones, betrayed him and showed the Spanish Authorities where Brugman was. He was executed on the spot.

Upon orders from the new Republican Spanish Government, the incoming governor of Puerto Rico, Jose Sanz, granted a general amnesty to all those imprisoned, effective on September 20, 1869.

Little is known about what happened to Manuel Rojas after his release from prison but, he is considered by many to be one of Puerto Ricos greatest independence leaders.