In January 1830, Bolivar, still only forty-seven, faced reality: ‘Colombians! Today I cease to govern you … Never, never, I swear, have my thoughts been tainted by lust for kingship.’ Cadaverously consumptive, he retired to his house, La Quinta, near Cartagena, spluttering, ‘How will I get out of this labyrinth?’ There was no way out.
The General in his labyrinth
