Martín de Barúa facts for kids

Martín de Barúa (died Buenos Aires, Governorate of the Río de la Plata, August 18, 1739) was an important Spanish soldier and leader. He worked for the Spanish Empire in South America. He served as a leader in Santa Fe from 1714 to 1716 and again from 1717 to 1722. Later, he became the Governor of Paraguay from 1725 to 1730. During his time as governor, he helped found the cities of Carapeguá (on May 14, 1725) and Itauguá (on June 27, 1728).

About Martín de Barúa

Early Career and Leadership

We don't know much about Martín de Barúa's early life. In 1712, he was a Captain. He also worked as a judge in a special court that handled taxes for the Spanish government.

In 1714, Captain Barúa was chosen to be the Lieutenant Governor of Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz. This city is now in Argentina. He started this job on September 28, 1714. He worked in this role until 1722. Another person, Juan de Lacoizqueta, took over for about a year between 1716 and 1717.

Becoming Governor of Paraguay

Martín de Barúa was sent to Paraguay to become its governor. This happened because there were problems in Paraguay with a judge named José de Antequera y Castro. These problems had even led to fighting against the Spanish Empire.

Bruno Mauricio de Zabala was the temporary governor of Paraguay at that time. He had led an army to deal with Antequera. However, Zabala was also the Governor of the Governorate of the Río de la Plata. This was a richer and more important area than Paraguay. So, Barúa was sent to Asunción, the capital of Paraguay, so Zabala could go back to his main job.

Barúa's time as temporary governor lasted longer than expected. Two other people were supposed to replace him, but they never arrived. One was arrested for a personal issue, and the other died while traveling from Europe to South America.

Governing Paraguay

As governor, Barúa tried to make peace with the people who had supported Antequera. A big issue in Paraguay was how the Society of Jesus (also known as the Jesuits) were treated. The Jesuits ran special communities nearby called Jesuit reductions.

Barúa became popular with the people of Paraguay because he didn't always agree with the Jesuits. This was similar to Antequera's views. Barúa only allowed the Jesuits back into their school in Asunción because the Viceroy (a high-ranking Spanish official) directly ordered him to.

Barúa's way of governing helped keep the peace for five years. However, it didn't solve the main disagreement in the province. The people of Paraguay often disagreed with the Viceroy's policies, especially about the Jesuits.

When a new governor, Ignacio de Soroeta, was sent to replace Barúa, the people of Paraguay were very unhappy. They asked Barúa to stay on as governor. Barúa knew that Antequera was in jail for going against the Spanish Crown. Barúa did not want to commit treason himself. He insisted that if he stayed, it would only be to hand over the governorship to Soroeta.

Eventually, Barúa resigned and left the province. His replacement and the rejection of Soroeta led to the start of the second part of the Revolt of the Comuneros of Paraguay.

See also

In Spanish: Martín de Barúa para niños