Captain Ángel Rivero-Méndez (October 2, 1856 – February 23, 1930) was a soldier, writer, journalist and a businessman who is credited with inventing the "Kola Champagne" soft drink.
After Rivero retired, he founded the "Fabrica Polo Norte" (North Pole Factory) a soft drink company. Rivero is credited with the invention and elaboration of the "Kola Champagne" soda. Kola Champagne not only became, and still is, a very popular drink in Puerto Rico, but it is also elaborated and sold in other countries, such the United States, Colombia, Jamaica and Mexico. He dedicated his spare time to obtaining records and information for the book he was writing on the Spanish-American War in Puerto Rico. He also wrote articles for the newspapers "El Imparcial", "El Mundo" and "La Correspondencia de Puerto Rico", where he defended Puerto Rican nationalism. In 1922, Rivero published his book "Crónica de la Guerra Hispano Americana en Puerto Rico" (Chronicles of the Spanish American War in Puerto Rico), which is considered one of the most complete works written in regard to that military action.

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