| | EL GRITO DE LARES
"A Lares, Tierra Santa hay que entrar de rodillas." - Albizu
"To Lares, Holy Ground, we must enter on our knees." - Albizu
The Lares uprising, commonly known as the "Grito de Lares" occurred on September 23, 1868, but was planned well before that date by a group led by Dr. ramon Emeterio Betances and Segundo Ruiz Belvis, who on January 6, 1868 founded the "Comite Revolucionario de Puerto Rico" (Revolutionary Committee of Puerto Rico) from their exile in the Dominican Republic.
Betances authored several "Proclamas" or statements attacking the exploitation of the Puerto Ricans by the Spanish colonial system and called for immediate insurrection. These statements soon circulated throughout the island as local dissident groups began to organize. That same year, poetess Lola Rodriguez de Tio inspired by Betances' quest for Puerto Rico's independence, wrote the patriotic lyrics that became the independentista national anthem to the already existing tune of la Borinquena.
Secret cells of the Revolutionary Committee were established in Puerto Rico by Mathias Brugman, Mariana Bracetti and manuel Rojas bringing together members from all sectors of society, to include landowners, merchants, professionals, peasants, and slaves. Most were "criollos" (born on the island). The critical state of the economy, along with the increasing repression imposed by the Spanish, served as catalysts for the rebellion. The stronghold of the movement were towns located on the mountains of the west of the island.
Although original plans called for the insurrection to begin in Camuy on September 29, Spanish authorities on the island discovered the plan forcing the rebels to move up the date. It was then agreed to first strike at the town of Lares on September 23. Rebels gathered on that day They looted local stores and offices owned by "peninsulares" (Spanish-born men) and took over the city hall. Spanish merchants and local government authorities, considered by the rebels to be enemies of the fatherland, were taken as prisoners. The revolutionaries then entered the town's church and placed the revolutionary flag knitted by Bracetii on the High Alter as a sign that the revolution had begun and the Republic of Puerto Rico was proclaimed under the presidency of Francisco Ramirez Madina. All slaves who had joined the movement were declared free citizens.
The rebel forces then departed to take over the next town, San Sebastian del Pepino. The Spanish militia, however, surprised the group with strong resistance, causing the armed rebels, led by Manuel Rojas, to retreat back to Lares. Upon an order from the governor the Spanish militia began rounding up the rebels and eventually brought the insurrection to an end.
Some 475 rebels were imprisoned, among them Manuel Rojas and Juan Rius Rivera, who was later to become the Commander-in-Chief of the Cuban Liberation Army. On November 17, a military court imposed the death penalty, for treason and sedition, on all prisoners, but in an effort to appease the already tense atmosphere on the island, the incoming governor dictated a general amnesty early in 1869 and all prisoners were released.
Even though the revolt in itself was quelled, its overall outcome was far reaching, since Spain was forced to grant more political autonomy to the colonized island nation and slavery on the island was abolished. During the years immediately following the Grito, there were also pro-independence protests and skirmishes with the Spanish authorities in many other towns throughout Puerto Rico.
Commemorating the Grito de Lares as a holiday was outlawed by both Spanish and United States authorities in Puerto Rico, during different time periods. The Spanish prohibition lasted until its colonial rule over Puerto Rico formally ended in 1899.
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