Francisco de Miranda (1750-1816)

Among rebellions that emerged from the heat of the Bourbons reforms, the Creole society is aware of its role in history and hopes that their desire for freedom wont vanished with their privileges and lives as the cruel Haiti´s independence was.

To this historical movement, the French Revolution needs to be recognised for its theoretical contributions and also, the United States Independence. These will have a great influence among the education of independence leaders, such as Venezuelan Francisco de Miranda (Caracas, Venezuela, 1750-San Fernando, Cadiz, 1816).

Francisco de Miranda was a discounted Creole that despite his social class kept fighting for the independence of Venezuela, a dream that will come true in 1810. But until that time comes, he will suffer militia years and exile in Spain, The United States, France, The United Kingdom, looking for support for his Latin American Independence.

He fought with the Spanish Army at the United States Independence War. Years later, he was banished to Oran for betrayal and smuggling. Looking for support in Europe reaches the revolutionary France and joins the army taking part in Antwerp´s Taking in 1792. In 1797, he was appointed as president of a Parliament in Mexico, Peru, Chile, La Plata, Venezuela and New Granada to raise supports for the independence of Paris. He was also the founder of the American Lodge in London.

Finally, he received the financial support of the United States. In 1806, rents a ship, the Leander and sets sail with a crew towards Venezuela with stop in Haiti in the Expedición Libertadora.

After his accidental stop in Haiti heading towards his homeland, he raises the future tricolour flag of Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador. The realist authorities were informed of the purpose of the trip and as a result, they stop him from his first disembarkment, although it was not possible to stop him the second time, months later at La Vela de Coro on August 3erd, 1806. The indifference of the citys inhabitants to the independence proposal and the impossibility to continue the attack inside the country, makes him decide to set sail once again and wait for another four years in order to start taking part on history.