Revolt of The Comuneros (Paraguay)

Revolt Of The Comuneros (Paraguay)

The Revolt of the Comuneros (Spanish: Revolución Comunera) is a series of uprisings by settlers in Paraguay against the Spanish authorities lasting from 1721 to 1732. Underlying causes were economic, but there were also issues of freedom and self-government. It is one of the first uprisings against Spanish colonial rule.

Its leader was José de Antequera y Castro (1690–1731), a judge for the Audiencia of Panama, who was sent to Asunción to examine charges against Diego de los Reyes Balmaceda, who had been named governor by the Spanish viceroy at the request of the Jesuits. Antequera, however, took sides with the settlers, who elected him governor.

In 1724 Viceroy José de Armendáriz sent in troops, who defeated the Comuneros. Antequera was captured, imprisoned for five years at Lima, and, on 5 July 1731, shot on his way to his execution. Further revolts in Asunción in 1730 and 1732 led by Ferdinand Mompox were quelled.