Juan Jose Flores

             - The battle of Miñarica near Huachi, where the forces of Valdiviezo were defeated.
             General Juan Jose Flores rose from humble social origins in Venezuela to attain eminence in the wars of independence and the first presidency of Ecuador (1830-34, 1839-45). His belief that Ecuador was ungovernable under republican forms led to a secret attempt to establish authority, not only in Ecuador but also in Peru and Bolivia. Failure and exile followed, but he returned to participate in the dictatorship of Gabriel Garcia Moreno. This important study of Flores's political career contains much until now unknown information about Ecuador's early independent history and the leading individuals involved in its politics. It will be of great interest to Latin Americans, not only because it is a major new interpretation of that period of Ecuadorian history but also because of its relevance to other Latin American efforts. Knowing about Juan Jose Flores' acts is important to Ecuadorian history, to the history of early national South America. .
             A commander under Bolívar in the War of Independence, Flores led (1830) the secession of Ecuador from the Colombian union. A moderate who supported great privileges, especially those of the Church, he was soon opposed by a liberal opposition under Rocafuerte, who succeeded him as president. Flores was twice reelected but, accused of dictatorial ambitions, he was exiled. Returning in 1860 with Gabriel Garcí Moreno, General Juan Jose Flores moved from Venezuela to Ecuador with Bolivar's army. In the fight for independence he became a national hero. Though he came from humble beginnings and had little education, his life in Ecuador was privileged. .
             Juan Jose was severe in his pursuit of power and personal gain. His main political rival was General Antonio Jose de Sucre, victor of the Battle of Pichincha. The Battle of Pinhincha was on May 24, 1822, in the Latin American wars of independence, a victory by South American rebels, commanded by Antonio Jose Sucre over the Spanish royalists on the lower slopes of Pinchincha, an Andean volcano.