1896–1897 revolt Independence movement in Puerto Rico

the 1897 intentona de yauco last revolt against spanish government

in 1896, group of residents of yauco supported independence joined forces overthrow spanish government in island. group led antonio mattei lluberas, wealthy coffee plantation owner, , mateo mercado. later year, local civil guard discovered plans , arrested involved. released , allowed return home.

in 1897, lluberas traveled new york city , visited puerto rican revolutionary committee, included exiled group 1868 grito de lares revolt. made plans major coup in puerto rico. lluberas returned puerto rico puerto rican flag flown @ such coup. mayor of yauco, francisco lluch barreras, learned of planned uprising, , notified island s spanish governor. when fidel velez, 1 of separatist leaders, learned word out, met other leaders , forced them begin insurrection immediately.

on march 24, 1897, velez , men marched towards yauco, planning attack barracks of spanish civil guard, gain control of arms , ammunition. @ arrival, ambushed spanish forces. when firefight broke out, rebels retreated. on march 26, group headed jose nicolas quiñones torres , ramon torres fought spanish colonial forces (mostly island men) in barrio called quebradas of yauco, overcome. government arrested more 150 rebels, charged them various crimes against state, , sent them prison in city of ponce. these attacks became known intentona de yauco (attempted coup of yauco). first time flag of puerto rico flown on island.

velez fled st. thomas lived in exile. mattei lluberas went exile in new york city, joining group known puerto rican commission .

spanish charter of autonomy

after 4 hundred years of colonial rule spanish empire, puerto rico received sovereignty in 1897 through carta de autonomía (charter of autonomy). signed spanish prime minister práxedes mateo sagasta , ratified spanish cortes.