---
node: sa_sucre
type: person
slug: antonio_jose_de_sucre
title: "Antonio José de Sucre"
lead: "Antonio José de Sucre (1795–1830) was Simón Bolívar's foremost general and the victor of Ayacucho. He became the first constitutional president of Bolivia."
published: 2026-07-13
updated: 2026-07-13
image_file: antonio_jose_de_sucre.jpg
image_source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Antonio_Jos%C3%A9_de_Sucre._Michelena,_Arturo._1895,_Legislative_Palace,_La_Paz.png"
image_author: "Arturo Michelena"
image_license: "Public domain"
---

## Who they were

A brilliant young commander from Venezuela, Sucre led the patriot army to the decisive victory at Ayacucho in 1824. That triumph secured the independence of Peru and the whole continent.

## What they did

He oversaw the founding of Bolivia, named partly in Bolívar's honor, and served as its first president. He was widely respected for his ability and his integrity.

## Legacy

Sucre was assassinated in 1830, at only thirty-five, amid the political strife that broke up Gran Colombia. He is honored as a hero across several South American nations.