Francisco de Miranda

Miranda served as a general in the French Revolutionary Army, commanding troops in the Battle of Valmy and the Siege of Maastricht. His service gave him military experience and connections with European revolutionaries, which he later used for Latin American independence.

Miranda led a small expedition from Haiti to invade Venezuela, landing at La Vela de Coro. The invasion failed to spark a general uprising, and Miranda retreated. This was the first attempt to liberate Venezuela from Spanish rule.

Miranda was a leading figure in the Venezuelan Congress that declared independence from Spain on July 5, 1811. He helped draft the first constitution and was appointed commander-in-chief of the patriot army, marking the start of the First Republic.

After the fall of the First Republic, Miranda attempted to negotiate a truce with the Spanish but was captured by his own officers, including Sim