MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Latinamerica’s bicentennial independence festivities begin in Bolivia

Bolivia’s commemoration on Monday May 25th of the 200th anniversary of the first uprising in Latinamerica against the Spanish colonial empire will also mark the beginning of similar independence celebrations along the continent which will peak in 2010.

The Charcas (today the city of Sucre) rebellion on May 25th 1809 is considered the first independent uprising in Creole Latinamerica. The revolution headed by local intellectuals’ kicks out the Spanish Crown representative but only lasts until the following Christmas when the new government is deposed.

However the spark had been triggered: on July 16th in La Paz and on August 10 in Quito, Ecuador there were uprisings against the Spaniards, which was followed in 1810 by other independent movements in the continent.

But given the current political situation in Bolivia two celebrations are scheduled, one, described as official, headed by President Evo Morales in the town of El Villar (200 kilometres from Sucre) while regional pro-autonomy authorities have organized their own festivities in the city.

Several Latinamerican countries have organized big commemorations for 2010. Argentina on May 25th 2010 will celebrate the two centuries of the first independent government.

Colombia has named a special Bicentennial High Counsellor Office for the July 20, 2010 celebration; Chile marks the anniversary on September 18th 2010, while Paraguay is scheduled to have a huge display on May 14 and 15, 2011.

Peru’s bicentennial will be taking place much later in 2021. The Spanish crown concentrated most of its troops in Lima, head of the viceroyship and the fleet in the neighbouring port of El Callao but were forced to leave on 1821. On the same year Central America celebrates independence from Spain.

Brazil is a different case because independence was declared by Emperor Pedro I in September 1822. However the republic was born in 1889 following Dom Pedro II attempt to liberate slaves and reduce the size of the army which led to his ousting.

Uruguay’s first independent uprisings take place in 1810, 1811 but first Buenos Aires and later Portugal-Brazil occupy the territory which was finally declared independent in 1825.