The General in His Labyrinth

Simón Bolívar is a military and political leader from Venezuela who, during the early 19th century, led many of the Spanish-speaking colonies of South American to independence from the Spanish Empire. He earned the nickname “the Liberator” and founded Gran Colombia (known in English as the Republic of Colombia). However, in his later years, the General, as he is known, is driven into exile after the people of Gran Colombia turn against him.

On May 8, 1830, a servant named José Palacios finds the General floating in his bath and rouses the General from his meditation so they can begin their journey. Though only 46, the General is "twisted by premature old age" (4). He readies himself for the departure from Bogotá with Palacios's help, reflecting on "twenty years of fruitless wars and the disillusionments of power" (5). He asks his lover and trusted friend, Manuela Saenz, to stay behind and keep him informed of events; In recent days, his remaining supporters have foiled "several assassination plots against him" (7). Now, he is resigned to dying of sickness and old age in his own bed, rather than in a battle against his oppressive enemies.