Caracas-born Simon Bolivar (1783-1830) is a national hero in at least five countries — Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia (a country named for him). Known as "The Liberator" and "The George Washington of South America," he was instrumental in wars of independence that ousted Spain from much of South America. He traveled the continent, leading campaigns of independence. Yet, he clashed with other freedom fighters and — as the first president (actually dictator) of the Republic of Colombia (today's Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador) — struggled with dissent and even civil war. Disheartened, Bolivar was headed into exile when he died.