Dorrego, Manuel

Dorrego, Manuel (mänwĕl` dôr-rā`gō), 1787–1828, Argentine statesman and soldier, governor of Buenos Aires province (1820, 1827–28). After serving for a time in the War of Independence, he returned (1816) to Buenos Aires and became a journalist. He attacked the government of Juan Martín de Pueyrredón and was banished (1817). Returning to Buenos Aires in 1820, he was provisional governor of the province (July–Sept., 1820). A leading advocate of federalism, he opposed the unitarian administration of Bernardino Rivadavia. After Juan Facundo Quiroga forced Rivadavia's resignation and the dissolution of the national government, Dorrego became governor of Buenos Aires (Aug., 1827). He accepted (1828) on behalf of the nation the treaty of peace with Brazil. His constitutional government was overthrown (Dec., 1828) by Juan Lavalle, and Dorrego was summarily executed. This action led to a reprisal by Juan Manuel de Rosas, who claimed to be Dorrego's avenger.