THE JEWS AND THE GREAT COLOMBIABolivar's letter is reproduced here and the subsequent comments, are part of a study that prepares Julio Guberek, a well-known researcher in our midst. This letter was addressed by the Liberator to his Jewish friend of Curaçao, Mordechai Ricardo, who helped Bolivar in various ways during the preparations for his emancipation campaign.Kingston, November 7, 1815 My dear old friend: Through various channels I had the pleasure of sending several letters, which, I understand, you have not received owing, no doubt, getting lost along with my other letters or perhaps, being intercepted by my Spanish friends.At this point I repeat my thanks that I have already expressed earlier by the gentleness with which he has treated my unfortunate sisters and the memory you keep from me even though the fate has not helped me so far. Incontrovertible proof of the generosity of his feelings and the nobility that has always characterized him.Friend, I will receive your communications with great pleasure and both joy and hope you will honor me with your answer to this.Please give my regards to the Madame, your wife, and that she accepts my feelings of pure friendship and consideration with which I am Your most devoted humble servant who kisses your hands, Simon Bolivar.Mr. J. Ricardo.The historian John Pool tells us about Ricardo : He was the first foreign protector the Liberator ( Simon Bolívar) and the cause of independence had. Elsewhere he writes: In Curaçao the cause of freedom found its first true guard in the noble figure of Dr. Lord Mordechai Ricardo, now unknown and forgotten, who in providing protection to Bolivar and his fellow obliges the released countries by its protected to an eternal debt of gratitude.The enthusiasm of the Jews of Curaçao by the movement of Bolivar made at least two of its members enlist in the army of Bolivar, Benjamin and Isaac Henriques de Sola. Benjamin (Isaac?) Henriques, born in 1784 in Curaçao served as a captain in the cavalry. He returned to Curaçao in 1816 ostensibly to make revolutionary speeches. Kikkert Governor, who wanted to avoid problems with the Spaniards, ordered his arrest. From prison Henriques asked the Council of the Isles to release him because he was a Dutch citizen, sick and had not harmed anyone. Juan (aka Isaac) de Sola, the son of Benjamin de Isaac de Sola and Esther de Jacob Marache, was born in 1786 in Curaçao. He was probably 25 when he met Bolívar in the home of his mother's family, Mordechai Ricardo.In an account of a family member, Juan de Sola, while working in the editorial group Correo del Orinoco in Angostura (Ciudad Angustura), Venezuela, attracted the support of the patriots with their articles. He joined the army in their revolt against Spain. Shortly after his mettle and ability he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in the army of Colombia, comprised at the time by Venezuela, New Granada and Ecuador. He took part in the Battle of Carabobo on June 24, 1821, battle that secured the independence of Venezuela. When the troops of General Paez had attacked Puerto Cabello on November 7 and 8, 1823, Sola commanded the cavalry, and succeeded in forcing the Spaniards to go to sea. On this occasion he received a saber wound in the face, which left an indelible scar.Some Jewish merchants sold supplies to the revolutionary as weapons and probably also on credit. Jeousuah Naar, signature Naar & Delgado in Kingston, Jamaica, claimed the properties of Admiral Louis Brion an undisclosed sum that was owed to the firm. In order to charge Naar sent its power of attorney from New York, in July 1826, to Moses Elia Penso in Curaçao.So it is evident that the Jews of Curaçao contributed positively to the independence of Venezuela and Colombia, countries with which trade relations maintained in the interests of all involved.October 20, 1830. -At two in the afternoon I was present at a Jewish wedding I was invited. I witnessed the ceremony which was very interesting. A brilliant dinner was served and among the many toasts, I have given one for the Liberator, which was greeted with a thousand applause by the presents. This testimony also proves that Bolivar had admiration among the Jews of Curaçao.Source: