Zamora, Ezequiel

Zamora, Ezequiel

 

Born Feb. 1, 1817, in Cua; died Jan. 10, 1860, in San Carlos. Popular hero of Venezuela.

Zamora became leader of the democratic wing of the liberals at the end of the 1840’s. He championed principles of national sovereignty, democracy, and egalitarianism, the realization of which he linked to the establishment of a federal state. In February 1859 he led a popular uprising that marked the beginning of a civil war in Venezuela known as the Federal War. Troops led by Zamora gained several victories over the conservatives. Zamora fell victim to a terrorist act.