Leonor de La Guerra

Leonor de La Guerra y Vega Ramírez (died 1816) was a heroine of the Venezuelan War of Independence. From a young age, she supported the cause of independence. Like her father, she is remembered for her act of rebellion against the royal forces, wearing a blue ribbon in her hair, which was the symbol used by the separatist forces, and ultimately cost her her life.

Born in Cumaná, she was the daughter of Luis Beltrán de la Guerra, councilman, attorney and trustee. Her mother was Rosa Ramirez Valderrín Antonia. She had at least two brothers, Luis Guerra Ramírez de la Vega, and Vega Ramirez. She married Joseph Tinedo by whom she had a daughter, Francisca Antonia.

In 1816, Colonel Juan Aldama vented his anger at Leonor Guerra who had boldly looked out the window while wearing a symbolic blue ribbon. She was cited and threatened with torture. However, she did not abjure her political convictions, nor did she reveal who else supported the independence cause. For her insurgency, she was sentenced to go through the streets, mounted on a donkey, while receiving 200 lashes. Around every corner, she was admonished, and asked to reveal the names of those who thought like her, to which she always replied "Viva la Patria, death to the tyrants!" After fainting, she was taken home. Affected by the incident, she refused food and medical care, dying in Cumaná in the same year.

A school, Unidad Educativa Leonor de la Guerra, is named in her honor.