![El Libertador Simón Bolívar, Firmando el Decreto de GUERRA A MUERTE contra los Españoles](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/El_Libertador_Sim%C3%B3n_Bol%C3%ADvar%2C_Firmando_el_Decreto_de_GUERRA_A_MUERTE_contra_los_Espa%C3%B1oles.jpg)
The Decree of War to the Death, in Spanish ''Decreto de Guerra a Muerte'', was a decree issued by the South American leader
Simón Bolívar
Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios (24 July 1783 – 17 December 1830) was a Venezuelan military and political leader who led what are currently the countries of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Panama and B ...
which permitted murder and any atrocities whatsoever to be committed against civilians born in
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
, other than those actively assisting South American independence, and furthermore exonerated people from the Americas who had already committed such murders and atrocities. The phrase "war to the death" was used as a
euphemism
A euphemism () is an innocuous word or expression used in place of one that is deemed offensive or suggests something unpleasant. Some euphemisms are intended to amuse, while others use bland, inoffensive terms for concepts that the user wishes ...
for these atrocities.
The decree was an explicit "
war of extermination" in Bolívar's attempt to maintain Venezuelan independence in the war with Spain, since he felt that the
Spanish Army
The Spanish Army ( es, Ejército de Tierra, lit=Land Army) is the terrestrial army of the Spanish Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is one of the oldest active armies — dating back to the late 15th century.
The ...
's use of atrocities against those who supported the
First Republic of Venezuela
The First Republic of Venezuela ( es, Primera República de Venezuela) was the first independent government of Venezuela, lasting from 5 July 1811, to 25 July 1812. The period of the First Republic began with the overthrow of the Spanish colonial ...
had contributed decisively to its defeat.
[Arana, M. (2013). ''Bolivar''. New York: Simon & Schuster, ]
Bolívar promulgated the decree on June 15, 1813, in the Venezuelan city of
Trujillo.
Background
The decree states that it was created as a response to severe crimes and massacres by
Spanish
Spanish might refer to:
* Items from or related to Spain:
**Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain
**Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries
**Spanish cuisine
Other places
* Spanish, Ontario, Can ...
soldiers after the fall of the First Republic, in which Spanish leaders allegedly stole property and executed thousands of Republicans: "we could not indifferently watch the afflictions inflicted to you by the barbaric Spaniards, who have annihilated you with robbery and destroyed you with death, infringed the most solemn treaties and capitulations
reference to the San Mateo Capitulation, 1812 in one word, committed every crime, reducing the Republic of Venezuela to the most horrific desolation." It proclaimed that all
Peninsular people in Spanish America who didn't actively participate in favor of its independence would be killed, and all South Americans would be spared, even if they had cooperated with the Spanish authorities. (See below for full declaration). The document's ultimate goal was to assure the Venezuelan elites that they would not be unfavorably treated for having collaborated with
Domingo de Monteverde
Juan Domingo de Monteverde y Rivas (born Juan Domingo de Monteverde; 2 April 1773 15 September 1832), commonly known as Domingo de Monteverde, was a Spanish soldier, governor and Captain General of Venezuela from June 1812 to 8 August 1813. Mont ...
and the royalist authorities. The Decree was the first step in transforming the common and legal view of the Venezuelan war of liberation from a mere
rebellion
Rebellion, uprising, or insurrection is a refusal of obedience or order. It refers to the open resistance against the orders of an established authority.
A rebellion originates from a sentiment of indignation and disapproval of a situation and ...
(or at best a
civil war
A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country).
The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies ...
) taking place in one of
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
's
colonies
In modern parlance, a colony is a territory subject to a form of foreign rule. Though dominated by the foreign colonizers, colonies remain separate from the administration of the original country of the colonizers, the '' metropolitan state'' ...
, to a full-fledged international
war
War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups such as mercenaries, insurgents, and militias. It is generally characterized by extreme violence, destruction, and mortality, using regular o ...
between two distinct
countries
A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state (polity), state, nation, or other polity, political entity. It may be a sovereign state or make up one part of a larger state. For example, the country of Japan is an independent, so ...
, Venezuela and Spain.
Practice of the "''Guerra a Muerte''"
This so-called ''Guerra a Muerte'' was widely practised on both sides, resulting in some extreme brutalities on both sides, such as the execution of Spanish prisoners in
Caracas
Caracas (, ), officially Santiago de León de Caracas, abbreviated as CCS, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela, and the center of the Metropolitan Region of Caracas (or Greater Caracas). Caracas is located along the Guaire River in the ...
and
La Guaira
La Guaira () is the capital city of the Venezuelan state of the same name (formerly named Vargas) and the country's main port. It was founded in 1577 as an outlet for Caracas, to the southeast. The town and the port were badly damaged during ...
in February 1814, on orders from Bolívar himself, just before the collapse of the
Second Republic of Venezuela
The Second Republic of Venezuela ( es, Segunda República de Venezuela) is the name used to refer to the reestablished Venezuelan Republic declared by Simón Bolívar on 7 August 1813. This declaration followed the defeat of Domingo Monteverde ...
, and the killing of several renowned citizens in
New Granada by the royalist army under
Pablo Morillo
Pablo Morillo y Morillo, Count of Cartagena and Marquess of La Puerta, a.k.a. ''El Pacificador'' (The Peace Maker) (5 May 1775 – 27 July 1837) was a Spanish general.
Biography
Morillo was born in Fuentesecas, Zamora, Spain. In 1791 ...
in 1815, 1816 and 1817.
The declaration remained in effect until November 26, 1820, when General
Pablo Morillo
Pablo Morillo y Morillo, Count of Cartagena and Marquess of La Puerta, a.k.a. ''El Pacificador'' (The Peace Maker) (5 May 1775 – 27 July 1837) was a Spanish general.
Biography
Morillo was born in Fuentesecas, Zamora, Spain. In 1791 ...
met with Bolívar at
Santa Ana de Trujillo to declare the war of independence a conventional war.
Text of the Decree
[Please note, this English translation is subject to scrutiny.]
References
Bibliography
*Stoan, Stephen K. ''Pablo Morillo and Venezuela, 1815-1820''. Columbus: Ohio State University Press, 1959.
External links
''Decree of War to the Death''(in Spanish) - Available a
''Archivo del Libertador''''Decree of War to the Death''(in Spanish) - Available a
''Televisora Venezolana Social''
See also
*
Shoot on the Spot Declaration
The “Shoot on the Spot” Declaration (Finnish: ''Ammutaan paikalla -julistus'') was a statement issued by Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, military leader of the Whites, on 25 February 1918, in the early stages of the Finnish Civil War. The Declarat ...
{{Gran Colombia independence
Venezuelan War of Independence
1813 in Venezuela
War to the Death
Ultimata
June 1813 events
Prisoner of war massacres
War crimes