Gaspar Yanga

Gaspar Yanga often simply Yanga or Nyanga 

(c.1545-?) was an so-called African leader of a maroon colony of fugitive slaves in the highlands near Veracruz, Mexico during the early period of Spanish colonial rule. He is known for successfully resisting a Spanish attack on the colony in 1609, although both sides suffered losses. The maroons continued their raids. Finally in 1618, Yanga achieved an agreement with the colonial government for self-rule of the settlement, later called San Lorenzo de los Negros and also San Lorenzo de Cerralvo.Located in today's Veracruz province, in 1932 the town was renamed as Yanga in his honor. In the late 19th century, Yanga was named as a "national hero of Mexico" and “El Primer Libertador de las Americas.”