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= Republiquetas = Republiquetas (Spanish word for small republics) were partisan enclaves formed in Upper Peru (current-day Bolivia) during the Bolivian War of Independence (1811-1825). During the war, there were several republiquetas formed during the war, most of them formed by former guerilla leaders turned into local anti-Spanish caudillos. Out of the many republiquetas, the most succesful out of all the republiquetas was the Ayopaya republiqueta.

Republiquetas can be defined as a precarious territory, mostly adjacent to Spaniard regimes and with poor institutionalization. Republiquetas were known for their lack in coordination and definite purpose, but they all had a common goal, to overthrow Spanish rule.

Republiquetas in Upper Peru
The first historiographical mention of the word came from the Argentine president and historian Bartolome Mitre. The spread of the republiquetas began when the first auxiliary Argentine army was defeated in the Battle of Huaqui. After the battle, hundreds of urban republicans, peasants, and agents began to occupy vast rural zones. According to officials, republiquetas were able to recruit more than 1,000 people, and a surge was bound to occur.

The Ayopaya republiqueta
Led by Jose Miguel Lanza, known as one of the most enduring and the most successful republiqueta during the war. In 1817, it dominated a territory of over 500 square miles, had over 600 soldiers, and a piece of artillery. The success of this republiqueta was due to its tactics at intercepting communitations between Conchabamba, La Paz, and Oruro, while retreating towards the mountains. This led to a series of constant surprise attacks against the Spaniards, with equipment made of rocks, sticks, ropes, and slings.

The Vallegrande Republiqueta
Led by Juan Antonio Álvarez de Arenales, who was once the primary leader of all of the republiquetas, was settled in the route of Cochabamba, Chuquisaca, and Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Although not as succesful as Ayopaya, its leader was one of the few to have lived to see independence, eventually becoming the governor of Salta, in Argentina.

The Cinti Republiqueta
Led by José Vicente Camargo, it was in Cinti (current day Camargo, Bolivia), and was the primary guardian to the Cotagaita fortress, which contained the route access necessary for Argentina auxiliary expeditions. It garnered around 1000 republicans and 2000 indians, making it one of the larger republiqueta around its time. Jose Vicente Camargo was defeated on April 3, 1816, and executed in Arpaja, which deemed the end of the Republiqueta.