Captain Cipriano Benítez is the officer commanding the guard of the walled compound where the printing press of Clavijero operates, in Santa María de Torregrises, the Rosist capital of Torregrises.
Those who know him describe him as medio sacado (“half-crazed”): of irregular temperament, prone to reactions his subordinates do not always anticipate. His second-in-command is a short man whose function in the guard is more obscure than that of a mere aide.
The press is where the writings of Clavijero and his allies become circulating paper, pamphlets or documents able to sway wills in the federal city. Benítez previously dealt with some men of the conspiring group, dealings described as carried out de una manera particular (“in a particular way”).