Independence of Paraguay

Independence of Paraguay de facto started on May 14–15 of 1811 after the Revolution of May 14 when a local ruling junta was created. In early 1811 Paraguayan forces had repeatedly defeated Argentinian army which considered Paraguay to be a break-away province. On October 12, 1813 Paraguayan Republic was proclaimed. Officially Independence was proclaimed only on November 25, 1842. Paraguayan independence was assured only after the Paraguayan War, when the Empire of Brazil resisted Argentine offers to divide and annex the country.

In 1776 Spanish king Carlos III created Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata with a capital city in Buenos Aires. It included parts of modern-day Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay and Rio Grande do Sul. In 1782 a system of municipalities was introduced. Municipality of Paraguay had only one town with city status – Asuncion.

During the era of Napoleonic Peninsula war, when mainland Spain was allied and later occupied by the French, British empire used a chance to launch River Plate invasions occupying Buenos Aires and parts of Viceroyalty in 1806 and 1807. Paraguayan units led by Givernor Velasco participated in the battles for Montevideo.

After the 1810 May Revolution in Buenos Aires and formation of the Primera Junta which aimed to rule over the whole Viceroyalty, junta sent Colonel Jose de Espinola to Asuncion with a task to bring the province under junta's authority. Espinola failed in his mission and was quickly chased out of the province.

The royal governor of Asuncion, Bernardo de Velasco y Huidobro on July 24 organized a local Cabildo of 200 local noables, which sent a reply to Buenos Aires announcing continued loyalty to Spanish king Ferdinand VII and rejection of authority of Primero Junta. Cabildo also announced mobilization and Velasco left with troops for the Yaguarón to establish defensive positions.

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Wikipedia