Francisco Ramírez Medina
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| Francisco Ramírez Medina | |
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| In office September 23, 1868 – September 23, 1868 |
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| Preceded by | Office created |
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| Born | 1828 Puerto Rico |
| Birth name | Francisco Ramírez Medina |
| Nationality | Puerto Rican |
| Ramírez's authority was only recognized during the revolution. During which he made his only official proclamation and named an official cabinet. | |
Francisco Ramírez Medina (born c.1828) is the only person to be named "President of the Republic of Puerto Rico".
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[edit] El Grito de Lares (The Cry of Lares)
History has little to say about Ramírez Medina and his personal life; what is known however, is that he was a fervent believer in the independence movement of Puerto Rico. The movement was initially started and planned by Ramón Emeterio Betances and Segundo Ruiz Belvis against the Government of Spain which then ruled the island. Manuel Rojas, Mariana Bracetti and Mathias Brugman joined them by forming revolutionary cells in the island. Francisco Ramirez Medina amongst others also joined the movement.
[edit] Declaration of Independence
On September 23, 1868, Manuel Rojas and his men captured the town of Lares. This event became known as "El Grito de Lares", Puerto Rico's call for independence. After this victory, Manuel Rojas and his men declared Puerto Rico a free Republic and appointed Government officials as follows:
- Francisco Ramírez Medina, President
- Aurelio Méndez, Minister of the Interior
- Manuel Ramírez, Minister of State
- Celedonio Abril, Minister of the Treasury
- Federico Valencia, Minister of War
- Clemente Millán, Minister of Justice
- Bernabé Poll, Secretary to the President
- Manuel Rojas, Commander in Chief of the Liberation Army
As the President of provisional government of the Republic of Puerto Rico, Ramírez Medina first official act was the proclamation of the abolition of the Libreta system. The Libreta system, required that every worker carry on his person a notebook which stated the type of job the person does and who he works for. Anyone who was able to work and did not carry a "Libreta" (notebook or journal) was subject to imprisonment.[1] He also ordered the liberation of all the slaves who joined the struggle or were prevented from doing so, and he urged his countrymen to do their duty and liberate Puerto Rico.[2]
[edit] Confrontation at San Sebastián
The rebel forces then departed to take over the next town, San Sebastián del Pepino. The Spanish militia, however, surprised the group with strong resistance, causing great confusion among the armed rebels who, led by Manuel Rojas, retreated back to Lares. Upon an order from the governor, Julián Pavía, the Spanish militia soon rounded up the rebels. All of the survivors were imprisoned in Arecibo. Francisco Ramírez Medina was among the captured and may have been executed for treason. His exact fate, however is unknown.
[edit] Legacy
There's a street in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico called Presidente Ramírez in his honor.
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