Colombia-Peru War
Encyclopedia
The Colombia–Peru War was an armed conflict between the Republic of Colombia and the Republic of Peru.
and the imposition of heavy tariffs on sugar. The war started with an internal insurrection in Peru, a civilian takeover of the city Iquitos
. On September 1, 1932 President Luis Miguel Sánchez
dispatched two regiments of the Peruvian Army
to Leticia and Tarapacá
, both Peruvian settlementes in the Amazonas Department
in present day southern Colombia
. These actions were mostly ignored by the Colombian Government
at the time.
took notice. The Peruvian Military Forces which were encroached upon the banks of the Putumayo River
stopped several large trade ships from traveling to Leticia. The result of this was an explosion of Colombian patriotism
. Laureano Gómez
head of the Senate minority proclaimed, "Peace, peace, peace in inner Colombia; War, war, war on the border against our despicable enemy."
On September 19, El Tiempo reported that they had received over 10,000 letters calling for war and control of Leticia. That same day thousands of Colombian students marched through the streets of Bogotá
chanting, "Sánchez Cerro
will die and Colombia
will defy!" Vásquez Cobo was declared general of the Colombian Amazonian Navy and 10 million dollars were approved by the Senate to fund his venture. Over 400 kilos of gold were donated by the Colombian cities as a symbol of gratitude to Huilan
engineer, César García Álvarez.
believed Colombia had no chance of defending itself: lacking roads and a proper Navy, the Amazon region had no Colombian military presence. It was not until December 1932 that General Alfredo Vásquez Cobo reached the mouth of the Amazon River
with a fleet of old ships he acquired in Europe. Within 90 days Colombia organized a respectable military response to the Peruvian invasion. Herbert Boy and the other German Aviators of SCADTA
(later to become Avianca
) fitted their commercial planes for war as a temporary Colombian Air Force
. The first attack by the Colombian Navy was upon Tarapacá
. The city had been chosen because Leticia was on the border with Brazil
and the Colombian Forces did not want to create further international conflict by giving the Peruvians a chance to flee into Brazil. The recuperation of Tarapacá was a bloodless event. The day before, February 14, 1933, the Peruvian Air Force
had attempted to bomb the Colombian Fleet, but most of the bombs had hit off target. The remainder of the Peruvian forces in the zone fled as Vásquez Cobo's Amazonian Navy landed the following day.
The first air combat in South America took place during this war between the Peruvian Air Force and the Colombian Air Force.
broke off all relations with the Peruvian government due to aerial attack. Not wanting to involve Brazil
in the war, the President did not order an attack on Leticia.
On April 30, 1933, after giving a speech at the Lima Senatal Dome, President Sánchez
was shot dead on the steps of the dome by a young cook. 15 days later, his successor, Óscar Benavides, met with the head of the Colombian Liberal Party
, Alfonso López Pumarejo
, to secure an agreement to turn Leticia over to a League of Nations
commission.
Colombia
and Peru
met in Rio de Janeiro
, Brazil
to sign a peace treaty. In the Rio de Janeiro Protocol, as it was called, Peru stated that, "We sincerely deplore the events that occurred starting September, 1932. Specifically those that damaged our relationship with Colombia." The Salomón-Lozano Treaty
was also reaffirmed by the Peace Treaty.
Civilian takeover
The Colombia–Peru War of 1932-3 was the result of dissatisfaction with the Salomón-Lozano TreatySalomón-Lozano Treaty
The Salomón–Lozano Treaty was signed in July 1922 by representatives of Colombia and Peru. The fourth in a succession of treaties on the Colombian-Peruvian dispute over land in the upper Amazon region, it was intended to be a comprehensive settlement of the long-standing border dispute between the...
and the imposition of heavy tariffs on sugar. The war started with an internal insurrection in Peru, a civilian takeover of the city Iquitos
Iquitos
Iquitos is the largest city in the Peruvian rainforest, with a population of 370,962. It is the capital of Loreto Region and Maynas Province.Located on the Amazon River, it is only above sea level, although it is more than from the mouth of the Amazon at Belém on the Atlantic Ocean...
. On September 1, 1932 President Luis Miguel Sánchez
Luis Miguel Sánchez Cerro
Luis Miguel Sánchez Cerro was a high-ranking Peruvian army officer and President of Peru from 1931 to 1933. On August 22, 1930, as a lieutenant-colonel, he overturned the eleven-year dictatorship of Augusto B...
dispatched two regiments of the Peruvian Army
Peruvian Army
The Peruvian Army is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with safeguarding the independence, sovereignty and integrity of national territory on land through military force. Additional missions include assistance in safeguarding internal security, conducting disaster relief operations...
to Leticia and Tarapacá
Tarapacá, Amazonas
Tarapacá is a town and municipality in the Colombian Department of Amazonas.-External links:...
, both Peruvian settlementes in the Amazonas Department
Amazonas Department
Amazonas is a department of Colombia in the south of the country. Its capital is Leticia. Its name comes from the Amazon River that drains much in the department and the rainforest that covers a large part of the department....
in present day southern Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
. These actions were mostly ignored by the Colombian Government
Politics of Colombia
The Politics of Colombia take place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Colombia is both head of state and head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government...
at the time.
Colombian patriotism
It was not until September 17 of that same year that the Colombian GovernmentPolitics of Colombia
The Politics of Colombia take place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Colombia is both head of state and head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government...
took notice. The Peruvian Military Forces which were encroached upon the banks of the Putumayo River
Putumayo River
The Içá or Putumayo River is one of the tributaries of the Amazon River, west of and parallel to the Yapura. It forms part of Colombia's border with Ecuador, as well as most of the frontier with Peru...
stopped several large trade ships from traveling to Leticia. The result of this was an explosion of Colombian patriotism
Patriotism
Patriotism is a devotion to one's country, excluding differences caused by the dependencies of the term's meaning upon context, geography and philosophy...
. Laureano Gómez
Laureano Gómez
Laureano Eleuterio Gómez Castro was President of Colombia from 1950 to 1953, and long time leader of the Colombian Conservative Party.-Pre-election:...
head of the Senate minority proclaimed, "Peace, peace, peace in inner Colombia; War, war, war on the border against our despicable enemy."
On September 19, El Tiempo reported that they had received over 10,000 letters calling for war and control of Leticia. That same day thousands of Colombian students marched through the streets of Bogotá
Bogotá
Bogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district...
chanting, "Sánchez Cerro
Luis Miguel Sánchez Cerro
Luis Miguel Sánchez Cerro was a high-ranking Peruvian army officer and President of Peru from 1931 to 1933. On August 22, 1930, as a lieutenant-colonel, he overturned the eleven-year dictatorship of Augusto B...
will die and Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
will defy!" Vásquez Cobo was declared general of the Colombian Amazonian Navy and 10 million dollars were approved by the Senate to fund his venture. Over 400 kilos of gold were donated by the Colombian cities as a symbol of gratitude to Huilan
Huila Department
Huila is one of the departments of Colombia. It is located in the southwest of the country, and its capital is Neiva.-Geography:The south of the department is located in the Colombian Massif...
engineer, César García Álvarez.
The war
President SánchezLuis Miguel Sánchez Cerro
Luis Miguel Sánchez Cerro was a high-ranking Peruvian army officer and President of Peru from 1931 to 1933. On August 22, 1930, as a lieutenant-colonel, he overturned the eleven-year dictatorship of Augusto B...
believed Colombia had no chance of defending itself: lacking roads and a proper Navy, the Amazon region had no Colombian military presence. It was not until December 1932 that General Alfredo Vásquez Cobo reached the mouth of the Amazon River
Amazon River
The Amazon of South America is the second longest river in the world and by far the largest by waterflow with an average discharge greater than the next seven largest rivers combined...
with a fleet of old ships he acquired in Europe. Within 90 days Colombia organized a respectable military response to the Peruvian invasion. Herbert Boy and the other German Aviators of SCADTA
SCADTA
The Colombian-German Air Transport Society , or SCADTA, was the world's second airline, and the first airline of the American continent, operating from 1919 until World War II. After the war, SCADTA merged with Colombian regional carrier Colombian Air Service , or SACO. Together, SCADTA and SACO...
(later to become Avianca
Avianca
Avianca S.A. is the flag carrier airline of Colombia since December 5, 1919 when it was initially registered under the name SCADTA. It is headquartered in Bogotá, D.C. with its hub at the El Dorado International Airport...
) fitted their commercial planes for war as a temporary Colombian Air Force
Colombian Air Force
The Colombian Air Force or FAC is the Air Force of the Republic of Colombia.The Colombian Air Force is one of the three institutions of the Armed Forces of Colombia, charge according to the 1991 Constitution of the work to exercise and maintain control of Colombia's airspace to defend the...
. The first attack by the Colombian Navy was upon Tarapacá
Tarapacá, Amazonas
Tarapacá is a town and municipality in the Colombian Department of Amazonas.-External links:...
. The city had been chosen because Leticia was on the border with Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and the Colombian Forces did not want to create further international conflict by giving the Peruvians a chance to flee into Brazil. The recuperation of Tarapacá was a bloodless event. The day before, February 14, 1933, the Peruvian Air Force
Peruvian Air Force
The Peruvian Air Force is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with defending the nation and its interests through the use of air power...
had attempted to bomb the Colombian Fleet, but most of the bombs had hit off target. The remainder of the Peruvian forces in the zone fled as Vásquez Cobo's Amazonian Navy landed the following day.
The first air combat in South America took place during this war between the Peruvian Air Force and the Colombian Air Force.
Rio de Janeiro Protocol
On the same day, the Colombian president Enrique OlayaEnrique Olaya Herrera
Enrique Alfredo Olaya Herrera was a Colombian journalist and politician, President of Colombia from August 7, 1930 until August 7, 1934 representing the Colombian Liberal Party.- Early years :...
broke off all relations with the Peruvian government due to aerial attack. Not wanting to involve Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
in the war, the President did not order an attack on Leticia.
On April 30, 1933, after giving a speech at the Lima Senatal Dome, President Sánchez
Luis Miguel Sánchez Cerro
Luis Miguel Sánchez Cerro was a high-ranking Peruvian army officer and President of Peru from 1931 to 1933. On August 22, 1930, as a lieutenant-colonel, he overturned the eleven-year dictatorship of Augusto B...
was shot dead on the steps of the dome by a young cook. 15 days later, his successor, Óscar Benavides, met with the head of the Colombian Liberal Party
Colombian Liberal Party
The Colombian Liberal Party is a center-left party in Colombia that adheres to social democracy and social liberalism.The Party was founded in 1848 and, together with the Colombian Conservative Party, subsequently became one of the two main political forces in the country for over a century.After...
, Alfonso López Pumarejo
Alfonso López Pumarejo
Alfonso López Pumarejo was a two-time Colombian president and political figure, as a member of the Colombian Liberal Party. He served as president of Colombia for the first time between 1934 and 1938 and again between 1942 and 1945....
, to secure an agreement to turn Leticia over to a League of Nations
League of Nations
The League of Nations was an intergovernmental organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. It was the first permanent international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace...
commission.
Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
and Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
met in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
to sign a peace treaty. In the Rio de Janeiro Protocol, as it was called, Peru stated that, "We sincerely deplore the events that occurred starting September, 1932. Specifically those that damaged our relationship with Colombia." The Salomón-Lozano Treaty
Salomón-Lozano Treaty
The Salomón–Lozano Treaty was signed in July 1922 by representatives of Colombia and Peru. The fourth in a succession of treaties on the Colombian-Peruvian dispute over land in the upper Amazon region, it was intended to be a comprehensive settlement of the long-standing border dispute between the...
was also reaffirmed by the Peace Treaty.
External links
- Luis Ángel Arango Library; Colombia-Peru War
- ColombiaLink history
- Colombia: The Leticia Conflict
- Colombian National Museum Special on Peace Treaties
- Peruvian Navy History Page on Colombian-Peru War
- Another thread with pictures and new clippings about the war
- Portafolio magazine on the Colombia-Peru war