Benito Pérez Brito

Benito Pérez Brito de los Ríos y Fernández Valdelomar (1747 in Barcelona – August 3, 1813 in Panama City) was a Spanish military officer and colonial official.

After the Siege of San Juan in 1797, Perez was recommended by Captain General of Puerto Rico, Ramon de Castro, for the rank of Field Marshal, which the Viceroy of New Spain, Miguel Jose de Avanza, promoted him.

In August 1810 he was named viceroy of New Granada to replace Francisco Javier Venegas (who had never actually occupied the position).

He stopped first in Mérida, Yucatán and Havana to gather resources for the reconquest of Cartagena, which was in rebel hands.

Four days later rebel Simón Bolívar made his triumphal entry into Caracas, his native city, reestablishing the Venezuelan Republic.