Joaquín Luis Miguel Suárez de Rondelo (August 18, 1781 in Canelones – December 26, 1868 in Montevideo) was a Uruguayan political figure. Head of State of Uruguay In December 1828, Suárez served as the first head of state of the territory that was about to be known as Uruguay two years later. President of Uruguay He served as the President of the Senate of Uruguay from 1841 to 1845. Suárez served in the office designated as President of Uruguay from 1843 to 1852, during the Uruguayan Civil War. However, his effective rule was limited to the old city of Montevideo; historians remember this rule as "Gobierno de la Defensa" (Defense Government), as he was defending the city during the Great Siege of Montevideo, which in turn was led by Manuel Oribe, who ruled over the rest of the country. He was the country's longest ruling president. Designer of Uruguayan flag He is credited with designing the Uruguayan flag. Legacy The town of Joaquín Suárez is named after him. See also History of Uruguay References External links Escuela Digital / Biography of J. Suarez Harvard Library / Biography of J. Suarez Open Library / Biography of J. Suarez (book reference) 1781 births 1868 deaths People from Canelones, Uruguay Presidents of Uruguay Presidents of the Senate of Uruguay Colorado Party (Uruguay) politicians Foreign ministers of Uruguay Uruguayan people of Spanish descent National symbols of Uruguay Flag designers Place of birth missing Burials at Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral