Agustín Agualongo

Agustín Agualongo (25 August 1780 in San Juan de Pasto – 13 July 1824 in Popayán) was a commander on the Royalist side in the wars for Colombian independence. A mestizo who chose to support the royalist cause, he rose quickly in rank with victories against republican offensives in the Popayán region. He went on to lead attacks against republicans in the Real Audiencia of Quito. The republicans grew in strength after the Battle of Carabobo and, after Popayán was sacked, Agualongo was captured and executed.

Background Agualongo was born in San Juan de Pasto on 25 August 1780. Agualongo is known to have worked as a painter.

The French-instigated replacement of Charles IV of Spain with his son Ferdinand VII and then by Joseph Bonaparte led to a republican movement in Colombia. In the face of growing republicanism Agualongo joined a Royalist militia at Popayán in 1811, to resist any attempted republican advances from Cali and Santa Fe. Restrepo characterised Agualongo as fighting for the Royalist cause out of ignorance and that he lacked the capacity to perceive the republicans as the more righteous cause. Modern historians have found the indigenous and mestizo peoples were highly engaged in the colonial economy, knew Hispanic law and followed politics.

Military service Agqualongo served under Colonel Basilio García during a retreat from Quito.