1. 19th Century Argentinian Dictator General Juan Manuel de Rosas Executed Wealthy Socialite and Family Friend Camila O’Gorman For Eloping with a Priest
In the nineteenth century, civil war plagued Argentina, and the dictator General Juan Manuel de Rosas ruled with an iron fist. His daughter Manuelita befriended Camila O’Gorman, the descendant of Irish immigrants to the country. In 1847, Camila’s brother introduced her to his friend from seminary school, Father Ladislao Gutierrez. An outspoken critic of the dictator’s totalitarian rule, the young priest befriended Camila. The couple soon fell in love. Assuming new identities, Camila and Ladislao eloped, settling in Goya, in northeastern Argentina. To prevent further scandal, Camila’s father reported to Rosas that Ladislao raped and kidnapped Camila.
When a family friend recognized Camila, he reported her true identity to the governor of Goya. Unwilling to defy Rosas’ orders, the government deported the lovers to Santos Lugares. The pregnant Camila refused to betray Ladislao, claiming she ran away with him willingly. Ignoring the pleas of his daughter Manuelita, Rosas condemned the couple, disregarding the law that delayed death sentences for pregnant women. The dictator executed Camila and Ladislao by firing squad on August 18, 1848. The heinous murders outraged the nation, and Rosas eventually lost his hold over the country.
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