Juan Larrea (politician)

Juan Larrea
Portrait of Juan Larrea, writing a plan to capture the city of Montevideo
Committee member of the Primera Junta
In office May 25, 1810 – April 6, 1811 Serving with Manuel Alberti, Miguel de Azcuénaga, Manuel Belgrano, Juan José Castelli, Domingo Matheu
Personal details
Born	June 24, 1782 Catalonia
Died	June 20, 1847 Buenos Aires
Nationality	Argentine
Political party	Patriot
Other political affiliations	Morenist
Occupation	Merchant
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata
Rank	Captain
Unit	Legion of Catalan volunteers
Battles/wars	British invasions of the Río de la Plata

Juan Larrea (June 24, 1782 in Catalonia, Spain – June 20, 1847 in Buenos Aires) was a Spanish businessman and politician in Buenos Aires during the early nineteenth century. He headed a military unit during the second British invasion of the Río de la Plata, and worked at the Buenos Aires Cabildo. He took part in the ill-fated Mutiny of Álzaga. Larrea and Domingo Matheu were the only two Spanish-born members of the Primera Junta, the first national government of Argentina.

He supported the secretary Mariano Moreno within the Junta, and was moved to the distant city of San Juan when the Morenists were removed from government. He returned as a deputy for Córdoba in the Assembly of Year XIII constituent assembly, promoting many resolutions. Together with Carlos María de Alvear, he organized the strategy for the downfall of the royalist stronghold in Montevideo, a threat to Buenos Aires during the Argentine War of Independence. Despite the victory, he faced political conflicts with admiral William Brown and an economic crisis, and was exiled from the country.

He moved to Bordeaux, France, but returned to Buenos Aires when his exile was lifted by the Oblivion law. He served as consul for a time, but his business declined and he committed suicide on June 20, 1847. He was the last surviving member of the Primera Junta.