Rivera, Fructuoso

Rivera, Fructuoso

(fro͞okto͞o-ō`sō rēvā`rä), 1790?–1854, first president of Uruguay (1830–34, 1839–42). After serving with ArtigasArtigas, José Gervasio
, 1764–1850, national hero of Uruguay, first leader in the movement toward independence. He came from the cattle-raising region Banda Oriental. He joined the revolution against Spain in 1811 and became the leader of the Orientales.
..... Click the link for more information. , he was one of the Thirty-three Immortals who raised the standard of independence under Juan Antonio LavallejaLavalleja, Juan Antonio
, c.1786–1853, Uruguayan revolutionist. After serving under José Gervasio Artigas, Lavalleja was imprisoned for a short time by Brazil, then in control of Uruguay.
..... Click the link for more information. . He was chosen president and was responsible for the succession of Manuel OribeOribe, Manuel
, d. 1857, president of Uruguay (1834–38). After serving with José Gervasio Artigas, he became one of the Thirty-three Immortals who raised the standard of independence under Juan Lavalleja.
..... Click the link for more information. , against whom he revolted in 1836. In the long civil strife, which was to characterize much of Uruguay's subsequent history, two factions appeared, distinguished by their badges, the Colorados [reds] of Rivera and the Blancos [whites] of Oribe. Rivera succeeded (1838) in routing Oribe, who fled to Buenos Aires. The following year Rivera declared war on Juan Manuel de RosasRosas, Juan Manuel de
, 1793–1877, Argentine dictator, governor of Buenos Aires prov. (1829–32, 1835–52). As a boy he served under Jacques de Liniers against the British invaders of the Rio de la Plata (1806–7).
..... Click the link for more information. , ruler of the United Provinces of La Plata (Argentina). With the help of Rosas, Oribe besieged Montevideo from 1843 to 1851. Rivera, opposed by factions within his own party, was exiled from the invested city in 1847, taking refuge in Brazil. After the downfall of Rosas and the end of the siege, he was selected (1853) as one of the triumvirate to head the provisional government of Uruguay.