Maria Parado de Bellido

by Monica
(NYC)

Andrea Maria Parado de Bellido was born in Huamanga, Ayacucho, July 5, 1777. When she was only 15 years old, she married Mariano Bellido and had 7 children. Her son Tomas decided to enroll in the army to defend their country from the Spanish invasion.

Her husband and Mariano, his other son, decided to collaborate with the forces of General Jose de San Martin too. The example of her husband and children gave Maria the strenght to follow the cause of liberation.

She used to send letters to her husband with information about the movements and plans of the enemy. One of the letters was found and Maria was imprisoned in the city of Huamanga. She was tortured to confess the name of her colleagues, but she always kept silent.

Seeing that they could not get the information they needed, the order to kill her was given. Maria was taken in procession to the main square where she was killed by a firing squad.