1932 Trujillo Revolution Explained

Conflict:1932 Trujillo Revolution
Place:Trujillo, Peru
Partof:the Third Militarism
Date:July 7–27, 1932
Result:Government victory
Combatant1: American Popular Revolutionary Alliance
Combatant2: Government of Peru
Supported by:
Unión Revolucionaria
Commander1: Agustín Haya de la Torre
Manuel Barreto Risco
Alfredo Tello Salavarria
Leoncio Manffaurt
Commander2: Maj. Alfredo Miró Quesada
Col. Manuel Ruíz Bravo
Lt. Col. Eloy G. Ureta
Units1:Thousands of insurrect men
Units2:1st Military Region
Casualties1:952 killed
Casualties2:327–513 killed
Casualties3:7,000–9,000 civilians killed or executed

Revolution of Trujillo was a social and political conflict in Peru which began in Trujillo city on July 6, 1932. It started with an uprising led by Manuel Barreto (known as "Buffalo"), against President Luis Miguel Sánchez Cerro.

History

On January 8, 1932, the President of Peru, Luis Sanchez Cerro, carried out an "autocoup" by outlawing political liberties and allowing for citizens to be detained without a warrant. It was the combination of this action, social inequalities and violations of sugar plantation workers labor rights which led to further civil unrest. Additionally, the party showed little interest in the indigenous peasants.[1]

On the dawn of July 7, 1932, an insurgent group composed mainly of peasants and workers, led by Manuel Barreto, attacked and captured the artillery barrack Ricardo O'Donovan, located at the former entrance to the city. In this assault, Barreto was one of the first to fall afflicted. The headquarters were ransacked. The weapons (including six mobile guns, rifles and machine guns) were distributed among the insurgents. In the morning, the city was taken by the people. Rebel Don Agustín Haya de la Torre (brother Víctor Raúl Haya de la Torre) was appointed Prefect (highest civil authority). The districts bordering the city also joined the insurrection.

The Executions

Many of the fighters who had surrendered were shot without trial. A "Court Martial" with no warranties and independence issued the death penalty against 102 people accused of being primarily responsible for the uprising. Because many of these people were fugitives and others had died in the clash, the penalty could only be applied to 42 detainees. They were led to the citadel of Chan Chan, and were forced to dig trenches that would become their graves. They were shot on July 27, 1932.

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. Heilman. J.P. "We Will No Longer Be Serville: Aprismo in 1930s Ayacucho"