Grito de Lares (1868)

Wed Sep 23, 1868

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Image: An artistic depiction of the Grito de Lares by Leonardo Rivera

On this day in 1868, the first major revolt against Spanish rule in Puerto Rico, known as the “Grito de Lares” (Cry of Lares), began when several hundred rebels looted stores, seized City Hall, and imprisoned Spanish-born merchants.

The revolutionary uprising had been planned months in advance by a group known as the “Revolutionary Committee of Puerto Rico”, led by Dr. Ramón Emeterio Betances and Segundo Ruiz Belvis. The Committee issued several widely circulated “Proclamas”, statements attacking the exploitation of the Puerto Ricans by the Spanish and calling for an anti-colonial insurrection.

On September 23rd, 1868, the Grito de Lares began when several hundred rebels arrived at the town of Lares, looting stores, seizing City Hall, imprisoning Spanish-born merchants, and flying the revolutionary flag of Lares at the town’s church. The Republic of Puerto Rico was proclaimed and revolutionaries offered freedom to any enslaved people who joined them.

The insurrection ended the next day when the Puerto Rican militia, significantly better armed than the rebels, put down the rebellion by force. Although all revolutionaries were initially sentenced to death by a military court, political pressure led the Spanish President to declare a general amnesty and free all prisoners, although the leaders of the uprising were still exiled.