Could Bolívar Pull a Napoléon?

When Simón Bolívar created his Grand Colombia he was made president for life. My question is just what it says, could Simón Bolívar declare himself emperor?
 
Wasn't Bolivar around for Napoleon's coronation, and forever after resented Napoleon for it?
 
Wasn't Bolivar around for Napoleon's coronation, and forever after resented Napoleon for it?

Yes. He considered Napoleon to have betrayed the ideals of the Revolution. On the other hand he wasn't exactly the most democratic person himself so I could certainly see the possibility of him taking on some of the trappings of monarchy, especially the longer he holds power.
 
You would have to change his perspective on Bonaparte's inauguration as Emperor Napoleon I. He can't be inspired by it (I doubt him making himself king would go over well at all), he has to have a more muddled opinion on the whole affair. Perhaps he goes to France earlier and sees the chaos of the later period of the First Republic and see such an action as necessary in certain situations (eventually leading to him doing the same at the height of his popularity and success).
 
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