The Great Marshal of Ayacucho Antonio José de Sucre (February 3, 1795 - June 4, 1830) was a South American independence leader, and one of Simón Bolívar's closest friends, generals and statesmen.

In 1811 he joined the battles for American independence from Spain. He proved himself an able military leader. In 1817 he was promoted to the rank of colonel.

In 1819 he was given the rank of brigadier general. After the Battle of Boyacá, Sucre was made Bolívar's Chief of Staff. In 1821 Bolívar put him in charge of the campaign to l iberate Quito. He won a decisive victory at the Battle of Pichincha on May 24, 1822.

Further victories followed over the Spanish forces in Peru, notably on August 6, 1824 at the Battle of Junín. On December 9, Sucre decisively captured the bulk of the Spanish troops and command, including the Viceroy, at Ayacucho, ensuring the independence of Peru and Alto Perú, soon to be founded by Sucre and others as the new country of Bolivia and thus ending all fighting for independence in Spanish America. As a reward for his efforts, General Sucre was granted the honorary title of "The Grand Marshall of Ayacucho".