Petrona García Morales

Petrona García y Morales (April 29, 1817 – August 17, 1857) was a Guatemalan woman. She was the wife of Guatemalan President Rafael Carrera.[1]

Petrona García Morales
First Lady of Guatemala
In role November 6, 1851 – August 17, 1857
President	Rafael Carrera
Preceded by	Herself
Succeeded by	María Dolores Micheo (1865)
In role March 21, 1847 – August 17, 1848
President	Rafael Carrera
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Herself
Spouse of the Head of State of Guatemala
In role December 4, 1844 – March 21, 1847
President	Rafael Carrera
Preceded by	Dorotea Rosales y Ojeda
Succeeded by	Position abolished
Personal details
Born	Petrona García y Morales April 29, 1817 Guatemala City, Guatemala
Died	August 17, 1857 (aged 40) Guatemala City, Guatemala
Spouse(s)	Rafael Carrera ​ ​ (m. 1835; died 1857)​

Biography

She was born in Mataquescuintla of humble origins. Subsequently, she married Rafael Carrera in 1833. During the battles of Rafael Carrera stand out: the barracks of Mataquescuintla; the one of Ambelis in Santa Rosa, defeating the army commanded by Teodoro Mejía; that of December 7, 1837 in the Jalapa plaza where he was defeated; and on January 13, 1838, where the Guatemalan Garrison was attacked. Some of these military events were accompanied by regrettable acts committed by both sides, such as robberies, assaults, raids and murders of defenseless people. In particular, the government of Gálvez, upon learning that Carrera was the leader of the revolt, invaded Mataquescuintla and captured his wife, Petrona García, whom the soldiers took by force; when he heard Carrera, he swore to avenge the outrage against his wife, and accompanied by her, he restarted the fight with new vigor. Petrona Garcia, inflamed by the desire for revenge, committed numerous atrocities against the Liberal troops, to the point that many of the members of Carrera feared her more than the leader himself, even though Carrera by then showed the features of leadership and military expertise that would characterize it.[2]

Petrona García Morales subsequently stayed with Rafael Carrera during his administration. In 1857 an epidemic of cholera broke out that caused many deaths in the country, including that of Petrona García. Three days of national mourning were decreed.[3]

References

1. "Los mulatos y las naciones en Centroamérica". mtholyoke. 2013. Retrieved 2018-06-10.
2. González Davison 2008, p. 84-85. sfn error: no target: CITEREFGonzález_Davison2008 (help)
3. Miceli 1974, pp. 72-95. sfn error: no target: CITEREFMiceli1974 (help)