Serafin Olarte

Who is Serafin Olarte?

Serafin Olarte was a Totonac chief and general who led a revolt against Spanish rule during the Mexican War of Independence in Veracruz.

His date of birth is unknown. Olarte first appeared in 1813, when he gathered a force of 400 Totonacs and fought against the Spanish in the area near Papantla in the mountains of Coxquihui. From 1812 until end of 1820 the countryside of northern Veracruz was hotbed of rebel activity and guerrilla fighting. Previous rebellions occurred in 1735, 1762, 1764, 1767, and 1787 and as a result Paplanta's inhabitants had a reputation among the royalist forces as troublemakers. The Olarte family was one of the most important ones in the area around due to their participation in many local Totonac cabildos and ability to raise troops from the local indigenous population.

Serafin 1814 met Ignacio Lopez Rayon in Zacatlan and formally joined the fight for Mexican independence. He was able to gather together diverse tribes and groups in an overall coalition, which made him one of the most successful commanders in the area.