During his stay in Spain, he befriended people with both liberal and reformist ideals who proposed the abolition of slavery.

The event, which was known as "aguas de libertad" (waters of liberty), was carried out at the Cathedral of Mayagüez.

In 1866 after his father's death, Ruiz Belvis inherited his family's hacienda Josefa; the first thing he did was free the slaves.

They developed a plan to send an armed expedition to Puerto Rico, in what was to become known as the "Grito de Lares".

[5] To honor the memory of Segundo Ruiz Belvis, Puerto Rico has named many streets after him.