General Alcazar

Lore & Background

In *Tintin and the Picaros*, General Alcazar is the leader of the Picaros, a revolutionary group fighting against the military government of General Tapioca in the fictional South American nation of San Theodoros. Alcazar's wife, Peggy, is introduced in this story. The Picaros are initially hampered by Tapioca's tactic of air-dropping whiskey into the jungle to intoxicate them. Professor Calculus provides Alcazar with tablets that make the taste of alcohol disgusting, which helps sober the guerrillas. At Tintin's suggestion, the Picaros disguise themselves in the costumes of Jolyon Wagg's carnival troupe, the "Jolly Follies," and enter Tapiocapolis during the carnival. They storm the presidential palace and seize control, leading to Alcazar becoming president. Tapioca and Sponsz are exiled as punishment.

In Their Own Story

Deep in the South American jungle, General Alcazar's camp was a place of frustration. His Picaros, meant to be a revolutionary force, were often drunk on whiskey that General Tapioca's forces air-dropped to sabotage them. Alcazar knew his men would never launch a successful coup while they were intoxicated. Then Tintin, Captain Haddock, and Professor Calculus arrived, seeking refuge. Calculus offered a solution: tablets that made alcohol taste disgusting. Alcazar watched as the professor tested them on Haddock, much to the captain's chagrin. Later, when Jolyon Wagg and his "Jolly Follies" carnival performers lost their way to Tapiocapolis, Tintin proposed a plan. The Picaros disguised themselves in the Follies' costumes and entered the city during the carnival. They stormed the presidential palace, seized control, and Alcazar became president. Tapioca and Sponsz were exiled.

Reader's Guide

General Alcazar appears in *Tintin and the Picaros* as the leader of the Picaros, a guerrilla group hiding in the South American jungle. He is married to Peggy Alcazar. His key rival is General Tapioca, the military ruler of San Theodoros. Alcazar's group is initially weakened by Tapioca's tactic of air-dropping whiskey to intoxicate them. Professor Calculus provides tablets that make alcohol taste disgusting, which helps sober the Picaros. At Tintin's suggestion, the Picaros disguise themselves in the costumes of Jolyon Wagg's carnival troupe, the "Jolly Follies," and enter Tapiocapolis during the carnival. They storm the presidential palace and seize control, making Alcazar president. Tapioca and Sponsz are exiled. Alcazar's story is one of a revolutionary who, with outside help, overthrows a rival regime.

Did You Know?

• General Alcazar is married to Peggy Alcazar, a character Hergé based on the American secretary to a Ku Klux Klan spokesman he saw in a TV documentary.
• In *Tintin and the Picaros*, Alcazar's group is called the Picaros, and they hide in the South American jungle.
• Alcazar becomes president of San Theodoros after his guerrillas storm the presidential palace during a carnival.
• Professor Calculus gives Alcazar tablets that make alcohol taste disgusting to help sober his drunken guerrillas.
• Alcazar's rival General Tapioca and Colonel Sponsz are exiled after Alcazar seizes power.