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Merced Marcano (1813–1887) was a skilled Venezuelan military officer who served as an assistant to Pedro Santana, who valued his opinions on war tactics and strategies during the Dominican War of Independence. Later, he severed ties with Santana and was exiled. Upon returning to Venezuela, he became a staunch supporter of Buenaventura Báez.
Mercano was born in 1813 on the Venezuelan island of Margarita. Arriving from his country, he reached the island of Hispaniola in the year 1837. Having settled in El Seibo, he became tied to the social and political interests of the region. He arrived during the Haitian regime of the island.
During the Dominican War of Independence, he was one of the men-at-arms who accompanied General Pedro Santana to the Southern Line. Due to his efficiency in the Battle of Azua, Santana held him in high regard, consulting his opinion on matters relating to army organization and castrametation (military encamping). In the Battle of Las Carreras, he received a special mention for his performance as Commander of Arms of the Army.
Eventually, Marcano held several important positions outside the military. As Santana's private secretary, he was for a time the custodian of his political secrets. However, Santana's growing authoritarian tendencies caused the relationship between the two men to lead to their falling out as soon as their opinions clashed. As a result, Marcano was exiled from the country; however, upon his return, he openly engaged in political activities opposing Santana. He was a fiery Baecista (supporter of Buenaventura Báez), rivaled only by Parmantier. In 1856, while the Advisory Senate was reviewing the accusation against Santana, Marcano presented his own to the body, which was taken into consideration.
The following year, upon the outbreak of the Cibaeño Revolution, he was appointed to the Military Commission established in Santo Domingo and immediately given another commission as Government Delegate in the East. He moved to the town of Higüey to uphold the banner of Baecismo there against the Santanismo of El Seibo. In the duel to the death between those two factions, the latter emerged victorious, with forces led by Blas Maldonado. Marcano retreated to Santo Domingo, where he helped resist the eleven-month siege. Following the capitulation of the square, he left for his homeland. With Santana remaining in power, Marcano resolved to stay permanently in Venezuela.
Not much is known about his activities in Venezuela between the periods of his arrival up until 1870. However, by the year 1871, he was residing in Caracas, living in dire poverty. He attempted to appeal to the Dominican Senate for his past military back pay in service to the country, and additionally requested a pension, but to no avail. Sometime later, he returned to reside in the Dominican Republic.
He passed away in the city of Santo Domingo in 1887.
