High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar Palacios y Blanco, commonly known as Simón Bolívar (July 24, 1783 ? December 17, 1830) was a Venezuelan political leader. Together with José de San Martín, he played a key role in Latin America's successful struggle for independence from Spain. Following the triumph over the Spanish Monarchy, Bolívar participated in the foundation of the first Republic of Colombia (today referred to by historians as "Gran Colombia" to avoid confusion with the current nation of the same name), a state formed from several former Spanish colonies.