Puerto Rico's Independence Movement
Rojas admired Puerto Rican independence advocate Ramón Emeterio Betances and together with his brother Miguel, joined Betances in his quest for Puerto Rico's independence. A "Revolution Committee of Puerto Rico" was formed and directed by Betances and Segundo Ruiz Belvis, who were exiled, 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.
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 Revolutionary Committee named twelve of their members generals of the revolution. They were:
- Manuel Rojas, Commander in Chief of the Liberation Army
- Andres Pol, General of Division
- Juan de Mata Terraforte, General of Division
- Joaquín Parrilla, General of Division
- Nicolás Rocafort, General of Division
- Gabino Plumey, General of Division
- Dorvid Beauchamp, General of Division
- Mathías Brugman, General of Division
- Rafael Arroyo, General of Division
- Francisco Arroyo, General of Division
- Pablo Rivera, Calvary General
- Abdón Pagán, Artillery General
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 González (who 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 plot. He then escaped and was able to warn Manuel Rojas.
Read more about this topic: Manuel Rojas (independence Leader)
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