Juan Antonio Lavalleja

Uruguayan political leader

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

Juan Antonio Lavalleja was a key figure in Uruguay's struggle for independence. He was one of the "33 Orientales," a group of nationalists who, with support from Argentina, fought to free their homeland from Brazilian control in 1825. This effort led to a treaty in 1827 that established Uruguay as a separate state, serving as a buffer between Brazil and Argentina. Lavalleja later became involved in the internal conflicts that plagued Uruguay's early years of independence, aligning with the Blanco Party.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

5 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Uruguay
The struggle for national identity
…government was compelled to support Juan Antonio Lavalleja, one of Artigas’s exiled officers, and his “33 orientales” when they crossed the river to free their homeland in 1825. The ensuing war was a stalemate, but British diplomats mediated a settlement in 1827, and in 1828 a treaty was ratified creating…
Read More
…government was compelled to support Juan Antonio Lavalleja, one of Artigas’s exiled officers, and his “33 orientales” when they crossed the river to free their homeland in 1825. The ensuing war was a stalemate, but British diplomats mediated a settlement in 1827, and in 1828 a treaty was ratified creating…
Read More