153 years ago, on Sept 23, 1868, revolutionaries in the mountainous town of Lares took up arms and declared the Republic of Puerto Rico in the Grito de Lares. This was part of an underground movement that had at least 20 secret cells throughout the main island. 1/9

The revolution was scheduled for later in the month but a chota (snitch) alerted the authorities. In the midst of confusion, the San Sebastián, Lares, and Camuy cells took arms on the night of the 23rd. 2/9

Dr. Ramón Emeterio Betances, one of the revolution’s main organizers, was traveling throughout the Caribbean preparing a boat with weapons and support for the revolution. Unfortunately, he was detained in Curaçao. 3/9

On the 24th the revolutionaries moved to the town of San Sebastián. What they imagined to be a quick takeover became a heated battle; government reinforces arrived from different municipalities. 4/9

Lack of communication between cells was a real struggle. Some cells found out about their failed revolution days later as they were still preparing to take arms and were swiftly arrested by government forces. 5/9

As Betances argued, and Spanish officials later confirmed, animosity against Spain was rampant; Puerto Ricans had imagined their nation and now needed to builds its political structures. 6/9

The revolution lasted no more than 48 hours in contrast to the three decades of war that began with the Grito de Yara in Cuba that took place that same week. However, the Lares revolution was a huge symbolic victory that is still celebrated today. 7/9

On el Grito’s 137th anniversary in 2005, the FBI conducted an operation to assassinate Comandante Filiberto Ojeda Ríos, a revolutionary leader living clandestinely. They went into his house, shot him, and let him to bleed on the floor. 8/9

It was a powerful reminder of colonial oppression and about how they understood the power of the 23rd of September.

Vivan lxs revolucionariosxs de Lares.

Comandante Filiberto, ¡Presente!

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