14 Facts About Fructuoso Rivera

Jose Fructuoso Rivera y Toscana was a Uruguayan general and patriot who fought for the liberation of Banda Oriental from Brazilian rule, thrice served as President of Uruguay and was one of the instigators of the long Uruguayan Civil War.

Fructuoso Rivera is considered to be the founder of the Colorado Party, which ruled Uruguay without interruption from 1865 until 1958.

Fructuoso Rivera made a controversial decision to almost completely eliminate the native Charrua during the 1831 Massacre of Salsipuedes.

When Banda Oriental was occupied by the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves and the defeated Artigas forced into exile in 1820, Fructuoso Rivera stayed in the newly created Cisplatina province.

Fructuoso Rivera first met with Juan Antonio Lavalleja in 1825, during an event that would become known as the Abrazo del Monzon.

Fructuoso Rivera soon became an important military commander during the Cisplatine War and participated in the Battle of Rincon and the Battle of Sarandi.

Fructuoso Rivera finally assumed Presidency for a term from 6 November 1830 until 24 October 1834.

Fructuoso Rivera then supported General Manuel Oribe as his successor to presidency.

Once again, Fructuoso Rivera become involved in conflict with Lavalleja and with Oribe.

In October 1838 Fructuoso Rivera defeated Oribe and forced him to flee into exile to Buenos Aires.

Fructuoso Rivera assumed Presidency for the second time between 1 March 1839 and 1 March 1843.

Fructuoso Rivera's power was limited to the capital city, while Oribe ruled the rest of the country.

In 1847 Fructuoso Rivera was forced to leave for exile in Brazil, where he stayed until 1853.

However, Lavalleja died on 22 October and Fructuoso Rivera died on 13 January 1854 en route to Montevideo, leaving only Flores in power.