Güemes was living at Salta (currently northern Argentina) when the Spanish American Wars of Independence started. He was a Gaucho leader and fully supported the independentist cause, driving the royalists out of Salta and keeping them at bay. They were much weaker than them, but managed to do so with guerrilla warfare. However, he did not have the full support of Buenos Aires, as some feared he may become a separatist caudillo later on. He was shot down in an ambush, and died. However, his gauchos continued the fight without him and eventually won.
Tropes
- And This Is for...: Güemes is dead, but the Infernals liberated Salta without him. "This is for you, don Martín".
- Burn Baby Burn: Pezuela received the manifiesto with the declaration of independence of the United Provinces... and burned it.
- Defiant to the End: Güemes has been shot, and he's dying on his bed. Olañeta offered medical support and medicines if he surrender. Güemes ordered his people to keep fighting and drive the royalists out of Salta, whatever the cost... and to Shoot the Messenger that came with this proposal.
- Every Man Has His Price: Pezuela thought that he could simply end the war by bribing Güemes so he surrenders. He wrote a long mail rejecting it. Pezuela offered yet another bribe, Güemes did not answer to this one.
- Good News, Bad News: Bad news: Pezuela's forces managed to escape from the Infernals. Good news: they secured a huge number of weapons from them.
- How We Got Here: The comic starts with Güemes fighting at the British Invasions, then skips back to his infancy.
- It Makes Sense in Context: During the British invasions, Güemes managed to board an attacking ship with his cavalry. Wait, what? Yes, cavalry: the ship had jammed into the coastline, but was still firing at the city.
- Lady of War: Güemes asked several women of Salta to work as spies. But others like Juana Azurduy, Machaca Güemes (his wife) and Andrea Zenarruza fought in the Infernals alongside men.
- Red Is Heroic: Güemes' gauchos use red ponchos, and even named "Infernals" because of it. Also count as Red Is Violent, as the Infernals were a guerrilla, not a properly trained army, and fought more violently than them.
- Unperson: He played a decisive role in the battle of Suipacha, but for some reason Juan José Castelli did not include him in the report.
