3-097-611 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Miguel de la Torre y Pando, Count of Torre Pando, 1852. Portrait of Miguel de la Torre y Pando (1786-1843), Spanish military officer and colonial administrator. As governor of Puerto Rico, he earned the title of Count of Torrepando. He went to the Americas as a colonel and rose to the rank of brigadier general. He fought under Pablo Morillo, defending Spanish interests against the independence movements in the American colonies of Venezuela, defending Angostura and Colombia, where he was defeated by Simón Bolívar's army at the Battle of Carabobo (1821). De la Torre was promoted to lieutenant general in 1824, and served as civil and military governor of Puerto Rico between 1823 and 1837, practicing a despotic policy. King Ferdinand VII granted him dictatorial powers, under which he was only accountable to the King. However, during his administration, social and urban development in Puerto Rico was promoted.