Baltazar García Ros facts for kids
Baltazar García Ros (born around 1670 in Valtierra, Spain – died September 18, 1740, in Buenos Aires) was an important Spanish soldier and leader. He served as a top military commander called maestre de campo. He was also a temporary governor of Governorate of Paraguay from 1706 to 1707. Later, he became the governor of the Governorate of the Río de la Plata from 1715 to 1717. During his career, he fought against different groups, including the Charrua, Yaro, and Bohán people, as well as the Portuguese and local rebels in Paraguay.
Biography
Baltazar García Ros was born in a town called Valtierra in Navarre, Spain, around the year 1670. He joined the army and fought in the Italian Wars, which were a series of conflicts in Europe. Later, he traveled to the Viceroyalty of Peru, a large Spanish territory in South America. He arrived in Buenos Aires in 1701. There, he was given the important military rank of sargento mayor, which is like a major in today's army. García Ros was known as a brave soldier. He led successful campaigns against the Charrua, Yaro, and Bohanes people.
In 1705, Baltazar García Ros joined forces with another leader, Juan de Lacoizqueta. They took part in the Siege of Colonia del Sacramento. This was an effort to capture the town from the Portuguese during the War of the Spanish Succession. The Portuguese eventually left Colonia, giving the Spanish a victory. However, this win did not last long. The Treaty of Utrecht, a peace agreement signed later, stated that Colonia had to be given back to the Portuguese. This happened in 1715.
Despite the short-lived victory, García Ros's success earned him the title of maestre de campo, a very high military position. He was also made the temporary governor of Paraguay until a new governor could arrive from Europe. After Manuel de Robles Lorenzana took over as governor of Paraguay, García Ros went back to Buenos Aires. There, he continued to serve in the local government.
García Ros became the governor of the Río de la Plata from 1715 to 1717. When Bruno Mauricio de Zabala arrived to take over the main governor position, García Ros continued to serve as Lieutenant Governor. In 1724, he was sent on a mission to end the rule of José de Antequera y Castro in Paraguay. Antequera was an official who had removed the previous governor and taken his place. The Viceroy, who was the highest Spanish authority in the region, thought this was illegal.
García Ros led a military force, mostly made up of local indigenous people from missions. However, Antequera's Paraguayan militia launched a surprise attack, and García Ros's forces were defeated. He was forced to retreat. Antequera's victory was also short-lived. The next year, Governor Zabala organized a much larger army. Antequera fled from Zabala's approaching troops in 1725. This event marked the beginning of what would later be known as the Revolt of the Comuneros of Paraguay.
Baltazar García Ros died in Buenos Aires on September 18, 1740.
