 He was one of the major leaders of the Revolution of May 14, 1811, despite being six years younger than the leading figure of Independence period Fulgencio Yegros and 20 years younger than the future dictator of Paraguay José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia.In 1820 he was accused of being involved in the conspiracy against Francia, and committed suicide in his cell on July 13, 1821.The Paraguayan city of Pedro Juan Caballero is named after him.