The Political Legacy and Final Days of Simón Bolívar
The Septembrine Conspiracy: Attack on the Liberator
On September 25, 1828, a group of conspirators surprised the presidency and the National Guard to penetrate the private rooms of the Palace of San Carlos for the purpose of killing the Liberator. However, he managed to leap into the street with the timely help of Doña Manuela Sáenz. On the other side of town, the insurgents were caught; they were led by Florentino González and Pedro Carujo. While others were executed, Carujo's life was spared, and he was banished.
Analysis of the Final Proclamation
On December 10, 1830, Bolívar expressed in short words what his hard work to free the South American people meant. He explained that he did not hold a grudge against his opponents and called for respect for the integrity of Colombia, as well as respect for the separation of powers and functions.
Key Ideas from the Liberator's Will
In sum, the Liberator's will dictated that his belongings be given expressly to pay off debts and to express his affection for acquaintances and relatives. This included surrendering his Aroa lands, swords, medals, and documents to various people and institutions to let them know they were still remembered. He also ordered the burning of certain documents that were under his possession.
Death and Fundamental Political Principles
The Liberator passed away on December 17, 1830, at the age of 47. His political principles were vital in liberating the continent, as they presented a political platform for Latin America after independence. He created political models from scratch for our territory to adapt to our reality. He possessed liberal thought, which he used to correct defects in American society. In practice, he was not merely a political theorist; he was not content to see his ideas only on paper and instead put his written policies into action.
Bolívar's Core Political Concepts
Independence
This represents the supreme goal of his liberating political action. Following his oath in Rome, Bolívar acted in search of independence, which meant the separation from the Spanish Empire and the construction of a free continent.
Nation and Government
For Bolívar, the Nation consisted of all inhabitants of a previously defined territory that integrates the State. The Government was a body that should have political and administrative effectiveness; it should be respected and granted its necessary strength.
Citizenship
Citizenship was very important to Bolívar. He even resigned his position as dictator in order to comply with the laws which granted the people their rights. To be a citizen, Bolívar believed one should be over 21 years old, be educated, and have a job. Most importantly, a citizen had to possess strong moral values.