Inspired by the revolutionary movements brewing around America, in 1814 José de Antepara, José Joaquín Olmedo and José de Villamil arrived in Guayaquil to promulgate among the people of Guayaquil, not only rooting for a change in authorities, but to change the political and social structure of America.

Despite Bolívar and San Martín’s good campaign that motivated the people of Guayaquil to undertake their freedom, the generals were eventually weakened: San Martín in the south and Bolívar stuck in Colombia without being able to move to Guayaquil. From Lima, Venezuelan officers arrived from the “Numancia” battalion: León de Febres-Cordero, Luis Urdaneta and Miguel de Letamendi. Their revolutionary trajectory motivated the people of Guayaquil, who invited them to stay, aware of the strength, ideological support and weapons that they brought with them.

TOWARDS THE INDEPENDENCE OF GUAYAQUIL

At their home in the Malecon, Ana Garaycoa and José de Villamil offered a party: the guest list included conspirators who could support the emancipation. José de Antepara gathered them in a room under oath of secret meeting which he named “La Fragua de Vulcano” where they decided that on the early morning October 9 they would proceed with the revolution.

Among those present were Antonio and Francisco Elizalde, Luis Fernando Vivero, José de Villamil, Lorenzo de Garaycoa, José de Villamil, Francisco de Paula Lavayen, Baltazar García, the Cmdte. José María Peña, Don Manuel Loro, Pedro Sáenz, Francisco Oyarvide, Francisco Marcos, José Rivas, José Correa, Lorenzo de Garaicoa, Guillermo Bodero, Agustín Franco, José Hilario Indaburu, Ciriaco Robles and the Venezuelans Febres-Cordero, Letamendi, Urdaneta, Escobedo

Source: Guayaquil es mi Destino

The revolution started without an appointed commander, despite the fact that the leadership was offered to Jacinto Bejarano, José Joaquín Olmedo, Rafael de la Cruz Jimena and Febres Cordero. The leader would be chosen later.

OCTOBER 9, 1820

The first hours of this historic day was secretly guided by a chant: ¡Viva la Patria! All those involved arrived at the Cuartel de Granaderos (translates to Grenadier Barracks (below the Cabildo House)) to have their mission and position appointed. Febres-Cordero and Captain Najera, easily made the Artillery Brigade Barracks. Antepara and Urdeta guided their group to take the “Las Cruces” drums and the “Daule” Barracks. In this meeting Joaquín Magallar died in an attempt to stop the revolution.

They proceeded to capture the Governor of the City, Don Pascual Vivero, the Military Chief of the Plaza, Colonel Benito García del Barrio and the rest of the military chiefs. That morning the people from Guayaquil woke up to admire the independent white-sky blue flag erected in the city.

Source: Sinmiedosec

The official statements of freedom were sent to Quito and Cuenca and Bolívar that same day, who sent reinforcements to maintain the freedom of Guayaquil. Meanwhile, José Joaquín Olmedo took the position of Civil Governor of the Plaza and proceeded to sign the Act of Independence of Guayaquil, declaring it “in complete freedom to join the great associations that suits it among the ones to be formed in South America”. Through this document Guayaquil was added to the movement to the independence of our current homeland.

TOWARDS THE INDEPENDENCE OF ECUADOR

Source: GLOGSTER, maiteusi

On May 15, 1821 the Board declared itself under the protection of Colombia, with the help of Bolivar’s envoy, Antonio José de Sucre. They continued their independence with the General, although it was weakened in Huachi and Tanizagua. In spite of the Gran-Colombian reinforcement, they suffered a new defeat, which forced them to reorganize and start again from the South, commanded by Sucre who received the help of the Inter-Andean people.

Finally, on May 24, 1822, the final battle, the Battle of Pichincha against the troops of Marshal Melchor de Aymerich, ends in a victory. It is at this time that the total independence of our current Ecuador is enshrined, with the intervention of leaders and men from various regions. Despite the divisions of parties, the incorporation to Colombia is requested, the Electoral College declared Guayaquil restored on July 31 of the same year.

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