Fernando Peñalver

Fernando Peñalver (1765 – May 7, 1837) was a Venezuelan politician, jurist and leader in the Venezuelan War of Independence.^[1][2][3] He joined the revolutionary movement in 1810.^[4] In 1811, he represented Valencia city council at the Constitutuent Congress [es] and signed the Declaration of Independence, as well as the Federal Constitution.^[4] In 1812, he was elected president of the Congress, which passed laws to abolish the Inquisition.^[4] Taken prisoner by Domingo de Monteverde, he was released in 1813.^[4] Emigrating to the Antilles, he continued correspondence with Simón Bolívar and sent arms and ammunition for the liberation campaign in Guayana.^[4] In 1817, he moved to Angostura where he became involved in politics and was a contributor to the Correo del Orinoco newspaper.^[4] He became a representative for the province of Guayana in the Congress of Angostura.^[4]

He was the first governor of the Province of Carabobo (1824–1827). He is buried in the National Pantheon of Venezuela.^{[citation needed]}