Marceliano Gutiérrez

Marceliano Gutiérrez Chávez ( — ) was a Peruvian colonel that participated in the coup d'état headed by his brother Tomás Gutiérrez against then president José Balta on July 22, 1872, dying in the events that took place four days later. He is accused of being the one who gave the execution order that ended Balta's life in reprisal for his brother Silvestre's murder, although this has since been disputed.

Early life Gutiérrez was born in Huancarqui to a family of Spanish descent in 1834, the son of parents Luis Gutiérrez and Julia Chávez. He enlisted, along with his three brothers in the Peruvian Army, with Tomás distinguishing himself above the others. He was described by historian Jorge Basadre as being more athletic, proud, harsh and ignorant than the rest of his brothers.

As the situation turned violent, Marceliano left for Callao in order to quell the revolt, while Tomás left for Santa Catalina barracks. During the events, while attempting to light a high-caliber cannon at the Real Felipe Fortress, he was fatally shot in the stomach. It is said that his last words were "another brave man dies" , and that the shot came from one of his own men. Initially buried in the city's Baquíjano Cemetery, his body was dug up and thrown in the bonfire at the Plaza de Armas where Tomás and Silvestre's bodies were already burning.