Pedro Camejo

Pedro Camejo, also known as Negro Primero or 'The First Black' (San Juan de Payara, Captaincy General of Venezuela, 1790-June 24, 1821) was a Venezuelan soldier that fought with the Royal Army and later with the Rebel Army during the Venezuelan War of Independence, reaching the rank of lieutenant. The nickname Negro Primero was inspired by his bravery and skill in handling spears, and because he was always in the first line of attack on the battlefield. It is also attributed to his having been the only black officer in the army of Simon Bolívar.

Biography
Battle of Carabobo, oil painting by Martín Tovar y Tovar, Pedro Camejo lies dead in full dress uniform at the far bottom right.

It is believed that Pedro Camejo is native to San Juan de Payara. Camejo was one of the 150 lancers who participated in the Battle of Las Queseras del Medio, later receiving the Order of Liberators of Venezuela for his participation. In the Battle of Carabobo, he fought with one of the cavalry regiments of the first division commanded by José Antonio Páez. Eduardo Blanco, in his book Venezuela Heroica, describes the moment when Camejo presented himself before General Páez with an unfailing voice said to him: "My general, I come to tell you goodbye, because I am dead".

  • "Biografía: Pedro Camejo (el Negro Primero)" (in Spanish).
  • "Pedro Camejo (Negro Primero)" (in Spanish). Venezuela: venezuelatuya.com.
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