Fructuoso Rivera

José Fructuoso Rivera (1789? in Paysandú – 1854) was an Uruguayan general and patriot who helped force the Brazilians out of the Banda Oriental. He founded the Colorado political tradition, and served as the first President of Uruguay from 6 November 1830 to 24 October 1834. His brilliance as a military figure is widely recognized, though his presidencies (1830–1834 and 1839–1843) were characterized by ineptness and neglect.