Fulgencio Yegros

Fulgencio Yegros y Franco de Torres ( * 1780 in Quyquyhó; † July 17, 1821 ) was the first President of Paraguay on June 19, 1811 to October 12, 1813 and from February 12, 1814 to 12 June 1814.

Life

Yegros came from a family with a military tradition, and pursued even a military career. He studied in Asunción and then went to the army. His first combat experience was gained in 1802 against the Portuguese. 1807 was a member of the Paraguayan unit Buenos Aires and Montevideo defended during the British invasions of the Río de la Plata. In 1810 he became a captain and was used as governor of Misiones. He commanded the troops that defeated Paraguay in 1810 the expedition of Manuel Belgrano.

Yegros and Pedro Juan Caballero were the military leaders of the revolution on 14 May 1811 which led to the independence of Paraguay. He was first president of the Junta Superior Gubernativa. Then Yegros and José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia together Consuls of the Republic modeled after the French Revolution were. He founded the first military academy in independent Paraguay.

Yegros was more soldier than politician and was pushed more and more into the background as consul of Francia. After his second term Francia became the sole ruler and Yegros withdrew from public life on his land back.

1820 Yegros involved in a rebellion against Francia. After the suppression of the uprising Yegros was imprisoned and executed on 17 July 1821.