Paraguay's governor and Cabildo declare loyalty to Ferdinand VII (1810)

In July 1810, Governor Bernardo de Velasco organized a Cabildo in Asunción to affirm loyalty to King Ferdinand VII and reject the authority of the Buenos Aires Primera Junta. This political stance maintained Paraguay under Spanish rule, setting the stage for subsequent military conflicts with Argentine forces and internal conspiracies that eventually led to the province's de facto independence in May 1811.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. After the May Revolution of 1810 in Buenos Aires, the Primera Junta aimed to rule over the entire viceroyalty and sent colonel José de Espinola to Asunción with the task of bringing the province under the junta's authority. Separately, Paraguayan units led by governor Bernardo de Velasco had participated in the battles for Montevideo during the invasions.

Declaration of Loyalty. On July 24, 1810, Velasco convened a Cabildo consisting of 200 local notables. This assembly formally rejected the authority of the Primera Junta and announced continued loyalty to the Spanish King Ferdinand VII. This declaration established a distinct political path for Paraguay, separating it from the revolutionary government in Buenos Aires.

People involved

Sources

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