Legalist Revolution

Legalist Revolution
Part of the Venezuelan civil wars
General Joaquín Crespo and the leaders of the Legalist Revolution painting
Date 11 March-6 October 1892 Location Center of Venezuela Result Rebel victory
Belligerents
Legalist Rebels	Continuist Government
Commanders and leaders
Joaquín Crespo	Raimundo Andueza Palacio
Strength
9.000-12.000	5,000 at the beginning
Casualties and losses
10.000 deaths y 6000 wounded in total.

The Legalist Revolution was a civil war in Venezuela that was caused by the "Continuity movement" of President Raimundo Andueza Palacio who wanted to perpetuate himself in power through a constitutional reform. Although it was constitutionally stipulated that his term would end on 20 February 1892, Andueza planned to reform the Constitution in order to prolong his stay in power for two more years, which is why he was called a Continuationist.

Joaquín Crespo took up arms on March 11 in his power base of "El Totumo", in Guárico state, starting the war that spread to the rest of the country. The government appointed General Sebastián Castañas, commander of the army, to fight the Revolution while Generals Ramón Guerra, Wenceslao Casado and José Manuel Hernández, known as "El Mocho Hernández", joined the Legalist movement of Juan Crespo.

Battle of Los Colorados and Battle of Boquerón

On 15 April 1892, Crespo defeated the Minister of War Sebastián Castañas in the Battles of Jobo Mocho and made him retreat to Calabozo.

In autumn Joaquín Crespo advanced towards Caracas at the head of more than 10,000 men, and encountered the Continuationist army of Generals José Ignacio Pulido and Luciano Mendoza at Los Teques. The Battle of Los Colorados and the Battle of Boquerón took place between 3 and 5 October 1892, and was a defeat for the Continuationists.
Mendoza, Pulido and Guillermo Tell Villegas Pulido withdrew and abandoned Caracas on 6 October. The city was left unprotected, and gangs of looters invaded the residences of Raimundo Andueza Palacio, Pulido, Sarria and other leaders of the defeated government, as well as the offices of the newspaper La Opinión Nacional. A few hours later, Crespo entered the capital, marking the triumph of the Legalist Revolution.

Crespo immediately took charge of the national executive power and would remain President until 1898. On 21 June 1893, a new Constitution was signed that would stipulate in its article 63, direct and secret voting, and a Presidential period of maximum 4 years in its article 71.