Published on May 20, 2016
Gaspar Yanga is known as one of the first black liberators in the Americas by leading one of the most successful slave rebellions. After being forced into slavery on the sugar plantations in Veracruz, Mexico, he escaped around 1570. Gaspar and his followers headed into the mountainous terrain of Veracruz where they flourished unchallenged for nearly 30 years. His group constantly fended off Spanish military attacks. Years later, he was officially awarded land under a treaty.
