Pablo Duarte: National Hero

Juan Pablo Duarte (1813 - 1876) is the "Padre de Patria" - father of fatherland and a recognized Dominican national hero.

Beginning in 1821 the Spanish part of Hispaniola Island was occupied by Haiti. Notwithstanding this Haitian occupation, Juan Pablo Duarte, along with Ramon Mella and Francisco Rosario Sanchez, founded on July 16, 1838 La Trinitaria, a dissident, secret society aimed at creating an independent Dominican Republic. Soon Pedro Santana, the shady yet powerful landowner, joined their ranks.

In the 1840s, things were on a collision course. Deep resentment against the despotism of Boyer and the devastating 1842 earthquake in the northern settlements further heightened the tension. Within the underground, Haitian activists had started to plan Boyer's overthrow. A group called La Reforme worked hand-in-hand with La Trinitaria. By 1843 the Trinitaria had blossomed into a powerful organization because its conditions of membership compelled each devotee to recruit three new adherents to their doctrine of national liberation.

In 1843 the successful overthrow of Boyer brought Charles Herard (1789-1850) to power. However, the latter showed little if any sympathy for Dominican autonomy. A system of surveillance and infiltration was set up with the collaboration of some pro-Haitian elements. Mella was arrested; Duarte went into exile in Curacao; and only Sanchez was able to disappear into the anonymity of the Santo Domingo underground and continue working for the movement. After his release from prison on February 27, 1844 Mella and Sanchez-with Duarte still in exile -- would serve as the nucleus and leadership of a military operation that successfully overrun the Haitian garrison in Santo Domingo.

The First Dominican Republic has been born. In July Juan Pablo Duarte returned from exile and, in accordance with the wishes of the people, became president of the new nation. However, Duarte turned down the offer of leadership and promised free elections. His opponent, landowner Pedro Santana, had less scruples; he seized power and forced the three other leaders into exile. Duarte lived in Venezuela until his death in 1876.

Although Juan Pablo Duarte spent a great part of his life in exile and was not an integral part of the official founding of the Dominican Republic, his recognition as a great national hero stems from his character and integrity.

Duarte's last home in the land of his birth is located on the Calle Duarte (Duarte Street) in Santo Domingo. Today it is a museum dedicated to the nation's struggle for independence. Also in Santo Domingo, opposite the Dominican monastery, is the Parque Duarte (Duarte Park) that is adorned by a statue of the father of independence.

Almost every city in the country has a street that bears the name of Juan Pablo Duarte. Finally, the head of a one-peso coin bears his image.