Ángel Rivero Méndez
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| Ángel Rivero-Méndez | |
|---|---|
| October 2, 1856 – February 23, 1930 | |
 Captain Ángel Rivero-Méndez Fired the first shot against the United States in Puerto Rico in the Spanish-American War. |
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| Place of birth |  Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico |
| Place of death | Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico |
| Allegiance | Spanish Army |
| Years of service | 1882-1898 |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Commands held | 3rd Company of the 12th Artillery Battalion at Fort San Cristobal |
| Battles/wars | Spanish-American War |
| Awards | Cruz de la Orden de Merito Militar |
| Other work | Invented "Kola Champagne" |
Captain Ángel Rivero-Méndez (October 2, 1856 – February 23, 1930) was a soldier, writer, journalist and a businessman who is credited with inventing the "Kola Champagne" soft drink. Rivero fired the first shot against the United States in Puerto Rico in the Spanish-American War. [1] [2]
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[edit] Early years
Born in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, Rivero's parents, Juan Rivero and Rosa Méndez, immigrated to Puerto Rico from the Canary Islands. Rivero received his primary and secondary education at the "Colegio de Jesuitas" in Santurce (a section of San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico). After he graduated, he enlisted in the Spanish Army and entered the Infantry Academy of Puerto Rico. He was given an officer's commission upon graduation on August 2, 1882.[1]
On October 16, 1882, Rivero married Manuela Boneta Babel from San Juan. In 1885, he was accepted in the General Military Academy of Toledo in Spain. There, he wrote a book about the city of Toledo, titled "Toledo". In 1886, Rivero was transferred to the Academy of Artillery in Segovia and, on February 28, 1889, he earned a degree in Industrial Engineering.
[edit] Military career
On January 1, 1890, Rivero returned to Puerto Rico and was assigned to the 12th Battalion of Plaza. He taught at the Military Preparatory Academy in San Juan and, in 1896, was promoted to the rank of captain.
As a captain, he was assigned to teach math and chemistry at the Civil Institution of Secondary Education. During this time in his life, he became active in politics as member of the Unconditional Spanish Party. Rivero also founded a newspaper called "La Integridad Nacional" (The National Integrity), a political paper which represented the views of the party. Rivero, along with some others was expelled from the party and together they formed another political party. An article criticizing the government, written by Rivero, was published and as a consequence, he was arrested and sent to jail. Due to the rumors of war, he was pardoned by Governor Macias and, on March 1, 1898, was assigned the command of the 3rd Company of the 12th Artillery Battalion at Fort San Cristobal in San Juan.
[edit] Spanish-American War
When the United States declared war against Spain, the U.S. Navy sent the U.S.S. Yale to form a blockade in San Juan Bay. On May 10, 1898, Capt. Rivero-Méndez ordered his men to fire upon the Yale, thus becoming the first attack against the Americans in Puerto Rico in the Spanish-American War. For his actions, he was awarded the "Cruz de la Orden de Merito Militar" (The Cross of the Order of the Military Merit) first class. However, the residents of San Juan were furious with Rivero and blamed him for the destruction caused to their city by the responding bombardments. Nothing came of those accusations and Puerto Rico became a possession of the United States as an outcome of the Treaty of Paris of 1898. Capt. Rivero-Méndez was ordered to turn over the keys of all the military installations in San Juan to General Reeds of the U.S. Army. Capt. Rivero-Méndez was offered a military position by both the American and Spanish governments. He declined both offers and, on April 18, 1899, he officially retired from the Spanish Army.
[edit] Kola Champagne
After Rivero retired, he founded the "Fabrica Polo Norte" (North Pole Factory) a soft drink company. Rivero is credited with the invention and elaboration of the "Kola Champagne" soda. Kola Champagne not only became, and still is, a very popular drink in Puerto Rico, but it is also elaborated and sold in other countries, such the United States, Colombia, Jamaica and Mexico. He dedicated his spare time to obtaining records and information for the book he was writing on the Spanish-American War in Puerto Rico. He also wrote articles for the newspapers "El Imparcial", "El Mundo" and "La Correspondencia de Puerto Rico", where he defended Puerto Rican nationalism. In 1922, Rivero published his book "Crónica de la Guerra Hispano Americana en Puerto Rico" (Chronicles of the Spanish American War in Puerto Rico), which is considered one of the most complete works written in regard to that military action.
[edit] Later years
Rivero and his wife wife were devotees of the Virgin of Lourdes. In 1924, he built a shrine dedicated to the Virgin of Lourdes, on his land in Trujillo Alto. The shrine, which still stands today and is considered an important landmark of the area, was blessed by San Juan's Bishop Jorge Caruana on January 6, 1925.
Angel Rivero-Méndez suffered from severe depression and on February 23, 1930, he committed suicide by shooting himself in his house located in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. His remains are buried in the Old San Juan cemetery.
