Rivera, Fructuosa

(1784–1854) played an important role in the efforts to force Brazilians out of the Banda Oriental. He served as the first President of Uruguay from 1830 to 1834. Rivera’s brilliance as a military leader is widely recognized. However, ineptness and neglect characterize his two presidencies (1830–1834 and 1839–1843). He was responsible for the Salsipuedes Genocide in 1831. His later legacy in Uruguayan political history lies in the symbolization of strong personal leadership.