Manuela and Simon.

• Author: Gil-Montero, Martha
• Position: LATITUDES - Simon Bolivar & Manuela Saenz - Reprint

On June 16, 1822, General Simón Bolivar, at the height of his victories, entered Quito in triumph. He was dressed in a gold-embroidered jacket, with the epaulets of a general, and rode "Pastor," his favorite horse. The first symptoms of the tuberculosis that was to cut short his life had already developed but were still imperceptible to outside observers. From a balcony, dressed all in white, and with her decoration adorning her bosom, Manuela Sáenz watched the man on horseback with the strong profile and the wrinkled, sun burnt brow parade down the main street. That night she danced with him and for him in the Palace of the Governor, and by dawn had given herself fully to the hero whom her imagination had idealized to the point of delirium.

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During the twelve nights of love-making that followed, the elegant gentleman and the passionate lady discovered that they were, in the very deepest sense, co-devotees of Eros and Revolution. They found that they admired the same heroes, thinkers, writers, and even friends. She, more intuitive and wiser in the ways of human nature, assumed the role of counselor and protector of the Liberator. He, a ladies' man with a subtle mind and a delicate way of speaking, felt the urgent need to continue drinking from the lips of Manuela, his inspiration and delight. A veteran in the fight against Spain, she would enroll forever in the ranks of the Liberator, ready for intrigue or battle. A born leader, he would welcome that bold Amazon to the inner circle of his faithful followers. As they bid each other farewell early one morning in Quito, Manuela Sáenz knew that, spiritually, she would never again be separated from Simón Bolivar.

The Liberator went on to Guayaquil. After his triumphal entrance into the port city, he received General San Martin, who was coming from Peru. The two giants of America exchanged their thoughts about achieving political stability in the newly liberated territories. After a visit of 36 hours, the Argentine general decided to return to Peru and give up the political and military authority he exercised there. Bolivar's ideas and forcefulness had prevailed. Manuela's knowledge of his competitor's weakness had been particularly useful to the Liberator at...