Blackwell Reference Online

Extract

Pedro Camejo was born into slavery as a servant of the Spanish royalist Vicente Alonzo in San Juan de Payara (Estado Apure, Venezuela). Forced to serve under the Spanish army, he fought against the independence fighters led by Simón Bolívar until joining them in the battle for independence in 1816. Until his death in the famous (second) Battle of Carabobo against the troops of Miguel de la Torre in 1821, which finally led to Venezuelan independence , he served under the eminent general José Antonio Páez, who, apart from playing an important role in the fight for independence, was elected president of Venezuela after 1831. Pedro Camejo, who is also known as “El Negro Primero” (the first black), stands as a symbolic figure of courage and strong will who made his way from slavery up to participating in the glorious struggle for independence from the Spanish colonialists, reaching the rank of lieutenant. He was conspicuous by his engaging role in defending Lieutenant José Maria Córdoba, who had been sentenced to death because of his desertion and murder of two compatriots. This action by Pedro Camejo and his friend Trinidad Traveso brought them high regard. In 1818 he met Simón Bolívar in San Juan de Parayara, who appeared to be impressed by his alertness and intelligence. With General Antonio Páez he took part in the battle of Las Queseras del Medio in 1819, for which he and his ... log in or subscribe to read full text