Septembrine Conspiracy
Assassination Attempt Conspiracy
CLASSIFICATION: Assassination
LOCATION
Bogotá, Colombia
TIME PERIOD
September 25, 1828
VICTIMS
1 confirmed
On September 25, 1828, an assassination attempt known as the Septembrine Conspiracy targeted Simón Bolívar, the president of Gran Colombia, at the Palacio de San Carlos in Bogotá. Approximately 36 attackers, led by Commander Pedro Carujo, stormed the palace at midnight, killing guards and attempting to reach Bolívar's quarters. Bolívar narrowly escaped through a window with assistance from Manuela Sáenz. Following the incident, General Francisco de Paula Santander, Bolívar's political rival, was sentenced to death but was ultimately exiled by Bolívar. The conspiracy significantly impacted the political landscape, contributing to the eventual disintegration of Gran Colombia in 1831.
Many believe the Septembrine Conspiracy was orchestrated by Bolívar's political rivals, particularly General Francisco de Paula Santander, who sought to eliminate him and gain power. Some speculate that the conspiracy was part of a larger movement against Bolívar's centralized government, driven by regional leaders unhappy with the loss of autonomy under his rule. There are also theories suggesting that Bolívar's survival was not merely luck but possibly a result of insider knowledge about the plot, hinting at potential complicity among his closest allies.
The Septembrine Conspiracy: A Night of Shadows and Escapes
The Attempt on Simón Bolívar's Life
In the early hours of September 25, 1828, the city of Bogotá was cloaked in darkness and tension. Within the walls of the Palacio de San Carlos, an audacious attempt to change the course of history was about to unfold. The target was Simón Bolívar, the revered president of Gran Colombia. Thirty-six men, led by the determined Commander Pedro Carujo, stormed the Presidential Palace. Under the cover of night, they swiftly eliminated the guards and made their way to Bolívar's quarters.
Yet, Bolívar was not alone. With him was his partner, Manuela Sáenz, whose quick thinking and bravery would prove crucial. As the attackers closed in, Sáenz roused Bolívar, urging him to flee. He hesitated, reaching for his pistol and sword, but Sáenz insisted. Heeding her counsel, Bolívar escaped through a window, descending into the shadows of the night.
The Political Powder Keg
To understand the gravity of this conspiracy, one must delve into the political turbulence of the time. Gran Colombia's government was a centralized force, often disregarding the constitutional promises of autonomy and inciting widespread dissent. The push for central control under military rulers had sparked revolts, driven by leaders and citizens clamoring for their rights.
Bolívar himself was a symbol of both hope and controversy. By 1826, he had entrusted a Council of State in Lima to manage affairs in Peru as he negotiated with factions in rebellion. However, his vision for a new constitution was met with resistance, and in January 1827, the Peruvians rejected this constitution, dismissing Bolívar as a ruler.
His proposal for a lifelong constitution faced rejection at the Convention of Ocaña, leading Bolívar to dissolve Congress and declare himself dictator by August 27, 1828. This decree intensified the discontent and opposition among the Neogranadine liberals, who began to plot in secret societies akin to those of the French Revolution. These intellectual gatherings laid the groundwork for the assassination attempt.
The Night of the Conspiracy
As the clock struck midnight, the conspirators, comprising twelve civilians and twenty-five soldiers, breached the Presidential Palace. Their mission was clear: to find and eliminate Bolívar. Manuela Sáenz's courage shone through the chaos. While Bolívar made his escape, she engaged and distracted the attackers, buying him precious time.
Outside, Bolívar took refuge beneath a bridge, waiting for news from the barracks. The conspiracy resulted in the death of Colonel William Ferguson, Bolívar's English aide-de-camp, and injuries to others, including young Andrés Ibarra. José Palacios, a freed slave, played a pivotal role in securing Bolívar's safe passage.
Despite the chaos, the plot unraveled. Colonel Whittle's battalion and Generals Rafael Urdaneta and José María Córdova swiftly restored order, apprehending the conspirators and quelling the uprising.
The Trials and Aftermath
In the days that followed, arrests were made, and trials commenced. The judicial proceedings, however, were anything but ordinary. Accusations flew, often lacking evidence, with high-ranking soldiers and civilians alike facing charges of conspiracy. Francisco de Paula Santander, Bolívar's main opponent, found himself condemned to death. Yet, Bolívar, exercising clemency, commuted his sentence to exile.
Others involved, like Vicente Azuero and Florentino González, shared similar fates of exile. Luis Vargas Tejada, a direct participant, drowned during his escape. The trials, marred by irregularities and newly formed courts, left Bolívar dissatisfied with the acquittals. He dissolved the court, appointing Rafael Urdaneta as the sole judge to deliver swift, often harsh, verdicts, contributing to the growing discontent against Bolívar and his administration.
These events, marked by a blend of courage, betrayal, and political maneuvering, set the stage for the eventual dissolution of Gran Colombia. The Septembrine Conspiracy remains a testament to the volatile interplay of ambition and ideology that defined an era.
Sources
- Posada, Eduardo (1988). Narraciones. Villegas Editores. ISBN 978-958-9138-10-6.
- "Una nefanda noche septembrina" (PDF). Casa Museo Quinta de Bolívar.
- Buitrago González, Víctor Manuel (2019). "La conspiración septembrina". Nueva Época (50): 203–214.
- Posada, Eduardo; Ibáñez, Pedro María (1969). Biblioteca de historia nacional. Imprenta Nacional.
- García, Mario Javier Pacheco (2008). El fin del imperio latinoamericano: (la Convención de Ocaña). Gobernación de Norte de Santander.
- Tiempo, Casa Editorial El (2014). "¿Cómo actuó Santander frente al atentado a Simón Bolívar?". El Tiempo.
- Pardo, María Isabel Perdomo; Mejía, Germán; Santander, Fundación para la Conmemoración del Bicentenario del Natalicio y el Sesquicentenario de la Muerte del General Francisco de Paula (1990). Causas y memorias de los conjurados del 25 de septiembre de 1828. Fundación para la Conmemoración del Bicentenario del Natalicio y el Sesquicentenario de la Muerte del General Francisco de Paula Santander. ISBN 978-958-643-100-2.
For further reading, visit the Wikipedia article on the Septembrine Conspiracy.
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Assassination Attempt on Bolívar
A group of attackers led by Pedro Carujo stormed the Presidential Palace, attempting to assassinate Simón Bolívar.
Bolívar Escapes
Simón Bolívar escaped through a window with the help of Manuela Sáenz during the assassination attempt.
Arrests Begin
In the aftermath of the assassination attempt, alleged conspirators were arrested and trials commenced.
Bolívar Dissolves Court
Bolívar dissolved the court handling the trials due to dissatisfaction with the acquittals and sentences.
New Trials Established
Bolívar appointed Rafael Urdaneta as Sole Judge to oversee new trials for the conspirators.
Sentences Issued
The new trials led to harsh sentences, including death penalties for some conspirators, escalating tensions.
Santander Exiled
General Francisco de Paula Santander was found guilty and exiled rather than executed, following the conspiracy.
Gran Colombia Disintegrates
The events of the Septembrine Conspiracy contributed to the eventual disintegration of Gran Colombia.
On September 25, 1828, an assassination attempt known as the Septembrine Conspiracy targeted Simón Bolívar, the president of Gran Colombia, at the Palacio de San Carlos in Bogotá. Approximately 36 attackers, led by Commander Pedro Carujo, stormed the palace at midnight, killing guards and attempting to reach Bolívar's quarters. Bolívar narrowly escaped through a window with assistance from Manuela Sáenz. Following the incident, General Francisco de Paula Santander, Bolívar's political rival, was sentenced to death but was ultimately exiled by Bolívar. The conspiracy significantly impacted the political landscape, contributing to the eventual disintegration of Gran Colombia in 1831.
Many believe the Septembrine Conspiracy was orchestrated by Bolívar's political rivals, particularly General Francisco de Paula Santander, who sought to eliminate him and gain power. Some speculate that the conspiracy was part of a larger movement against Bolívar's centralized government, driven by regional leaders unhappy with the loss of autonomy under his rule. There are also theories suggesting that Bolívar's survival was not merely luck but possibly a result of insider knowledge about the plot, hinting at potential complicity among his closest allies.
The Septembrine Conspiracy: A Night of Shadows and Escapes
The Attempt on Simón Bolívar's Life
In the early hours of September 25, 1828, the city of Bogotá was cloaked in darkness and tension. Within the walls of the Palacio de San Carlos, an audacious attempt to change the course of history was about to unfold. The target was Simón Bolívar, the revered president of Gran Colombia. Thirty-six men, led by the determined Commander Pedro Carujo, stormed the Presidential Palace. Under the cover of night, they swiftly eliminated the guards and made their way to Bolívar's quarters.
Yet, Bolívar was not alone. With him was his partner, Manuela Sáenz, whose quick thinking and bravery would prove crucial. As the attackers closed in, Sáenz roused Bolívar, urging him to flee. He hesitated, reaching for his pistol and sword, but Sáenz insisted. Heeding her counsel, Bolívar escaped through a window, descending into the shadows of the night.
The Political Powder Keg
To understand the gravity of this conspiracy, one must delve into the political turbulence of the time. Gran Colombia's government was a centralized force, often disregarding the constitutional promises of autonomy and inciting widespread dissent. The push for central control under military rulers had sparked revolts, driven by leaders and citizens clamoring for their rights.
Bolívar himself was a symbol of both hope and controversy. By 1826, he had entrusted a Council of State in Lima to manage affairs in Peru as he negotiated with factions in rebellion. However, his vision for a new constitution was met with resistance, and in January 1827, the Peruvians rejected this constitution, dismissing Bolívar as a ruler.
His proposal for a lifelong constitution faced rejection at the Convention of Ocaña, leading Bolívar to dissolve Congress and declare himself dictator by August 27, 1828. This decree intensified the discontent and opposition among the Neogranadine liberals, who began to plot in secret societies akin to those of the French Revolution. These intellectual gatherings laid the groundwork for the assassination attempt.
The Night of the Conspiracy
As the clock struck midnight, the conspirators, comprising twelve civilians and twenty-five soldiers, breached the Presidential Palace. Their mission was clear: to find and eliminate Bolívar. Manuela Sáenz's courage shone through the chaos. While Bolívar made his escape, she engaged and distracted the attackers, buying him precious time.
Outside, Bolívar took refuge beneath a bridge, waiting for news from the barracks. The conspiracy resulted in the death of Colonel William Ferguson, Bolívar's English aide-de-camp, and injuries to others, including young Andrés Ibarra. José Palacios, a freed slave, played a pivotal role in securing Bolívar's safe passage.
Despite the chaos, the plot unraveled. Colonel Whittle's battalion and Generals Rafael Urdaneta and José María Córdova swiftly restored order, apprehending the conspirators and quelling the uprising.
The Trials and Aftermath
In the days that followed, arrests were made, and trials commenced. The judicial proceedings, however, were anything but ordinary. Accusations flew, often lacking evidence, with high-ranking soldiers and civilians alike facing charges of conspiracy. Francisco de Paula Santander, Bolívar's main opponent, found himself condemned to death. Yet, Bolívar, exercising clemency, commuted his sentence to exile.
Others involved, like Vicente Azuero and Florentino González, shared similar fates of exile. Luis Vargas Tejada, a direct participant, drowned during his escape. The trials, marred by irregularities and newly formed courts, left Bolívar dissatisfied with the acquittals. He dissolved the court, appointing Rafael Urdaneta as the sole judge to deliver swift, often harsh, verdicts, contributing to the growing discontent against Bolívar and his administration.
These events, marked by a blend of courage, betrayal, and political maneuvering, set the stage for the eventual dissolution of Gran Colombia. The Septembrine Conspiracy remains a testament to the volatile interplay of ambition and ideology that defined an era.
Sources
- Posada, Eduardo (1988). Narraciones. Villegas Editores. ISBN 978-958-9138-10-6.
- "Una nefanda noche septembrina" (PDF). Casa Museo Quinta de Bolívar.
- Buitrago González, Víctor Manuel (2019). "La conspiración septembrina". Nueva Época (50): 203–214.
- Posada, Eduardo; Ibáñez, Pedro María (1969). Biblioteca de historia nacional. Imprenta Nacional.
- García, Mario Javier Pacheco (2008). El fin del imperio latinoamericano: (la Convención de Ocaña). Gobernación de Norte de Santander.
- Tiempo, Casa Editorial El (2014). "¿Cómo actuó Santander frente al atentado a Simón Bolívar?". El Tiempo.
- Pardo, María Isabel Perdomo; Mejía, Germán; Santander, Fundación para la Conmemoración del Bicentenario del Natalicio y el Sesquicentenario de la Muerte del General Francisco de Paula (1990). Causas y memorias de los conjurados del 25 de septiembre de 1828. Fundación para la Conmemoración del Bicentenario del Natalicio y el Sesquicentenario de la Muerte del General Francisco de Paula Santander. ISBN 978-958-643-100-2.
For further reading, visit the Wikipedia article on the Septembrine Conspiracy.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Assassination Attempt on Bolívar
A group of attackers led by Pedro Carujo stormed the Presidential Palace, attempting to assassinate Simón Bolívar.
Bolívar Escapes
Simón Bolívar escaped through a window with the help of Manuela Sáenz during the assassination attempt.
Arrests Begin
In the aftermath of the assassination attempt, alleged conspirators were arrested and trials commenced.
Bolívar Dissolves Court
Bolívar dissolved the court handling the trials due to dissatisfaction with the acquittals and sentences.
New Trials Established
Bolívar appointed Rafael Urdaneta as Sole Judge to oversee new trials for the conspirators.
Sentences Issued
The new trials led to harsh sentences, including death penalties for some conspirators, escalating tensions.
Santander Exiled
General Francisco de Paula Santander was found guilty and exiled rather than executed, following the conspiracy.
Gran Colombia Disintegrates
The events of the Septembrine Conspiracy contributed to the eventual disintegration of Gran Colombia.