Agustín de Ruyloba facts for kids

Manuel Agustín de Ruyloba y Calderón was a Spanish official who became the Governor of Paraguay in 1733. His time as governor was very short because he faced a big rebellion from a group called the "comuneros." He was killed soon after he started his job.

Becoming Governor

Ruyloba's early life is not well known. He was a military leader in a place called Callao when he was chosen to be Governor of Paraguay. At that time, Paraguay was in a lot of trouble because of a big uprising called the Revolt of the Comuneros.

The King in Spain chose Ruyloba for the job, not the local Spanish leader (the Viceroy) in South America. Maybe the people in Spain didn't fully understand how serious the problems in Paraguay were. They might not have known what kind of leader was needed to calm things down.

The governor of a nearby area, Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, offered Ruyloba 300 soldiers to take with him. But Ruyloba said no. He believed the people of Paraguay when they promised to be loyal to the King. He didn't want to make the situation worse right away by bringing soldiers. Ruyloba arrived in Asunción, the capital of Paraguay, on July 27, 1733. He was officially recognized as the new Governor.

A Short Time in Power

Ruyloba's time as governor was very short. He made some strong statements that upset many people. In a speech, he said that the "Junta Gobernativa" (a local ruling group formed by the rebels) was an act of treason. He warned that anyone trying to bring it back would be publicly executed.

After three weeks of looking at the situation, Ruyloba started to punish the rebels, as the Viceroy had ordered. He declared that all elections for the local council, called the cabildo, since 1730 were not valid. He also removed many leaders from the cabildo and the local army (militia).

Ruyloba also began to prepare for the return of the Jesuits to their college in Asunción. Many people in Paraguay disliked the Jesuits. These actions made the little support Ruyloba had disappear. The comuneros started to gather again in the countryside. Ruyloba didn't know much about their plans because he had few allies in Paraguay so soon after arriving.

When Ruyloba finally learned about the comunero army, he tried to get the Asunción militia to ride out and fight them. But his own army started to leave him in large numbers. They didn't want to fight the comuneros for a governor who supported the Jesuits and had just arrested many of their own militia leaders.

Ruyloba met with the comunero leaders. This meeting was set up by Bishop Arregui, who was known to be fair to both sides. Bishop Arregui advised Ruyloba to agree to some of the comuneros' demands. But Ruyloba completely refused. He also said he would not leave the province.

For his honor, Ruyloba went to the battlefield almost alone, since his army had left him. He was killed in a short battle with the rebels in Guajaibity (near Itauguá) on September 15, 1733.

After Ruyloba's death, Bishop Arregui became governor. However, Bishop Arregui mostly served as a way for the comuneros to seem legitimate, and he had very little real power.

See also

In Spanish: Agustín de Ruiloba para niños