# Libertadores

Libertadores (Spanish pronunciation: , "Liberators") were the principal leaders of the Spanish American wars of independence from Spain and of the movement in support of Brazilian independence from Portugal. They are named that way in contrast with the Conquistadores ("Conquerors").
They were largely local-born men of European descent (criollos), in most cases part of the bourgeoisie and with military training in the motherland, who were influenced by liberalism and led colonial subjects in their struggle for independence against the metropole.

## List of libertadores
### Hispanic America

| Name (Birth–Death) | Contributed to the independence of | Took part in |
| Francisco Burdett O'Connor (1791–1871) | Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia | Spanish American wars of independence War of the Confederation |
| Pedro Santana (1801–1864) | Dominican Republic | Dominican War of Independence |
| José de San Martín (1778–1850) | Argentina, Chile and Peru | Argentine War of Independence Crossing of the Andes Chilean War of Independence Peruvian War of Independence |
| Simón Bolívar (1783–1830) | Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Panama and Bolivia | Venezuelan War of Independence Admirable Campaign First Republic of New Granada Ecuadorian War of Independence Peruvian War of Independence Bolivian War of Independence |
| Augustin I of Mexico (1783–1824) | Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica | Mexican War of Independence design of the Plan de Iguala |
| Manuel Belgrano (1770–1820) | Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay | British invasions of the River Plate May Revolution Paraguay campaign Argentine War of Independence Bolivian War of Independence |
| Bernardo O'Higgins (1778–1842) | Chile and Peru | Chilean War of Independence Argentine War of Independence Peruvian War of Independence |
| Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753–1811) | Mexico | Grito de Dolores Mexican War of Independence |
| José María Morelos (1765–1815) | Mexico | Mexican War of Independence wrote the Sentimientos de la Nación |
| Ramón Castilla (1797–1867) | Peru | Peruvian War of Independence |
| Andrés de Santa Cruz (1792–1865) | Bolivia and Peru | Bolivian War of Independence Argentine War of Independence Peruvian War of Independence Ecuadorian War of Independence War of the Confederation |
| José Gervasio Artigas (1764–1850) | Argentina and Uruguay | British invasions of the River Plate Portuguese invasion of the Banda Oriental Portuguese conquest of the Banda Oriental Argentine Civil Wars |
| Juan Antonio Lavalleja (1784–1853) | Uruguay | Cisplatine War Thirty-Three Orientals |
| Thomas Cochrane (1775–1860) | Brazil, Chile | French Revolutionary Wars Napoleonic Wars Chilean War of Independence Peruvian War of Independence Brazilian War of Independence Greek War of Independence |
| Francisco de Miranda (1750–1816) | Venezuela | American Revolutionary War French Revolution Venezuelan War of Independence |
| Mariano Moreno (1778–1811) | Argentina | May Revolution Argentine War of Independence Paraguay campaign |
| Antonio José de Sucre (1795–1830) | Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela | Venezuelan War of Independence Ecuadorian War of Independence Bolivian War of Independence Peruvian War of Independence Gran Colombia–Peru War |

### Brazil

Pedro I of Brazil became known as "o Libertador" ("the Liberator") in Brazil for his role in the country's independence. Sporadically, the term has also been applied to other figures such as José Bonifacio (known as the "patriarch for independence"), Maria Leopoldina de Austria, and Joaquim Gonçalves Ledo.

### Philippines

Emilio Aguinaldo, the first Filipino President and Generalissimo who liberated the Philippines from the Spanish Empire in 1898, is widely recognized as "El Libertador de la Patria" (The Liberator of the Homeland)

## Legacy

The flags of Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador follow Francisco de Miranda's design of 1806. Also, Bolivia was named after Símon Bolívar, who in turn was president of Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and twice of Venezuela. San Martín served as "President Protector" of Peru.
In what today is part of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, Agustín de Iturbide, a military leader revolted against the Viceroyalty of New Spain, founded an independent Mexican Empire where he ascended as Emperor Agustín I.
The names of libertadores are used all over South America to name anything from towns and places to institutions and sports clubs. Also, the most prestigious international club football competition in South America is named the Copa Libertadores in their honour.