Quintín Quintana

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Quintín Quintana Lauchen (c. 1845/50 – 1902) was a Chinese-Peruvian, later Chinese-Chilean, merchant and police detective. He was born in China as Liu Tang Sin Shin (also known as Leotàn Sin-Shin or Leo Shin). In 1866 he was taken to Peru as a coolie in Ica, becoming an indentured laborer with a 20-year contract and taking the Quintana surname from his owner.

After finishing his contract, Quintana became a successful merchant, owning two farms and two stores, and he became a prominent figure among Chinese Peruvians. A Chilean journalist in the 1880s called him “a kind of Rothschild of this yellow tribe.”

During the War of the Pacific, Quintana sided with Chile. He joined the Chilean intelligence service and helped organize Chinese volunteers who supported Chile. Thousands of Chinese men joined, forming the Vulcan Legion, and they fought near Lima in battles such as Chorrillos and Miraflores. After Lima was occupied, Quintana lived in Callao and, with General Amunátegui in charge, organized the hiring of Chinese laborers to work for Chile in northern Peru. Some observers described him as a leader in a new slave-trade system, though conditions for workers had reportedly improved under Chinese bosses.

Quintana worked for the Chilean occupation government until 1883, then settled in Santiago and became a police detective. In 1888 he was awarded 2,000 Chilean pesos for his wartime services. He was known for his fashion, his connections with journalists, and the fear he inspired in criminals. He died in 1902. Chilean historian Marcelo Segall called him an “oriental Spartacus” for his bold leadership.