Sebastián Ágreda

Who was Sebastián Ágreda?

Sebastián Ágreda served briefly as President of Bolivia, from June 10 to July 9, 1841. In addition to these 29 days as President, he also held a number of other governmental roles as well as being a prominent figure in the Bolivian military.

A native of Potosí, Ágreda had fought in the battles of Junin and Ayacucho under Antonio José de Sucre, for which the Grand Marshall rewarded him as Commander of the Military College in Chuquisaca. Later still, he was appointed Commander of the Army by Andrés de Santa Cruz, and was considered a national hero for heading the Bolivian forces that routed Argentina at the Battle of Montenegro. A loyal supporter of the Grand Marshall, in June 1841 General Ágreda succeeded in removing Gen. José Miguel de Velasco from power, installing himself as de facto ruler pending the return of Santa Cruz. Unfortunately, he only controlled portions of the Army and, moreover, faced the opposition of the venerated members of Congress, with whom he had clashed since they insisted on naming one of their now to the post of Provisional President. After only a month in power, he agreed to leave provided Congress name a pro-Santa Cruz Provisional President until Santa Cruz himself could return to rule. This done, he left the Government Palace, and remained a respected war hero. Indeed, he became an elder statesman of sorts, serving as ambassador abroad and member of the Cabinet under José Ballivián, and Prefect of La Paz and Chuquisaca in his latter years. He died at the age of 80 in La Paz.