Serafin Olarte (died 1821) was a Totonac chief and general who led a revolt against Spanish rule during the Mexican War of Independence in (then province) Veracruz. His date of birth is unknown. Olarte first appeared in 1813, when he gathered a force of 400 Totonacs and fought against the Spanish in the area near Papantla in the mountains of Coxquihui. From 1812 until end of 1820 the countryside of northern Veracruz was hotbed of rebel activity and guerrilla fighting. Previous rebellions occurred in 1735, 1762, 1764, 1767, and 1787 and as a result Paplanta's inhabitants had a reputation among the royalist forces as troublemakers. The Olarte family was one of the most important ones in the area around due to their participation in many local Totonac cabildos (councils) and ability to raise