A Compendium of Latin American History, 2022

 A Compendium of Latin American History, 2022

Chapter 15 - The Fall of Gran Colombia (1819 - 1829)

Pax Franca

“America is ungovernable; those who served the revolution have plowed the sea.”

Simon Bolivar

Gran Colombia  - a project of hope - a project of dreams. What started as the dream of the Liberator, Simon Bolivar, ended with his assassination by Jose Maria Cordova’s forces (as only recently unearthed by archaealogical research) while he fled to Panama. Gran Colombia’s fall was truly tragic - beginning as the Ocana Convention began in the wake of the failed La Cosiata by Paez, Gran Colombia became immediately beset by obligations to foreign powers as their internal politics began collapsing. 

In Ecuador, leaders worked to improve defences around Ecuador in defence against Peru. Ecuador remained largely stable if political - resolving minor skirmishes and resolving privateering problems. Juan Illingrot and his development bank (the BDG) was highly contributory in developing the economy of Ecuador to an extent unimaginable before the BDG begun. In a more down to earth approach, some governors even decided to boost the economy by educating the locals on the methods of fishing. Even during the midst of war, the people of Ecuador still managed to host a Colombian Ball Tournament, which brought the people great happiness, despite it being short term. It is a shame what happened to Ecuador, then - its fragmentation rendered it irrelevant in a world of Great Powers, especially as French and American intervention began in 1829. Even today, what ought to be Ecuador is fragmented, many different states, each with different power. 

Meanwhile, in Nueva Grenada, a split began to develop after Antioquia, in what will forever be likely seen as a historic mistake, ceded all foreign extraction rights to the French, setting up a series of events that would break up Gran Colombia forever, as the French began taking over, eventually setting up a protectorate of their own. The state did develop in other ways, too - with the development of a competent and participatory political system. Liberals developed and tried to harm the Church, but failed. The state did succeed in developing a new type of sport - known as Colombia Ball - now an Olympics sport and one of the most popular sports in the world after crochet and rugby.  

In Venezuela, a weak country developed militarily with the aid of the United States, while itself reducing its participatory nature in Gran Colombia. While Venezuelan nationalism, the hallmark of the birthplace of Latin American independence, was strong and persistent, it eventually failed to make a mark. As the French launched a violent coup in Nueva Grenada, naming it French Nueva Grenada and eventually Nouvelle Grenade, the Venezuelans received support from the United States, who sought to enforce the Monroe Doctrine to keep Europe from interfering in the Americas. However, in a series of decisive battles, the Venezuelans lost to the French-backed Colombians, who eventually succeeded in reuniting Peru, Venezuela, Nueva Grenada and Ecuador to form French Gran Colombia, which would eventually become La Grande Colombie. 

The people of La Grande Colombie would only eventually have their say in 1982, when La Grande Colombie won independence (as Colombie, Venezuele, Peru and the constituent states of Ecuador) after a prolonged independence movement. America had lost influence in this region of the world - and had focused its strengths on the Asia-Pacific instead. The French influence on this part of the world is unmistakable today - with inhabitants largely speaking French and adopting French norms. What could have been if the leader of a small province did not give the French exclusive extraction rights….

Here ends the story of La Grande Colombie. We bookend this with a poem (translated) written by an old farmer during the Last War. 

At the beginning of April,

the sun shifted too low,

The forests cease to grow

My son’s six feet below

Ephemeral vanishing,

My heart stays panicking,

For all I can see is

Me, the world and insanity

At the beginning of May,

I geared up for war

My daughter, the homemaker

Lost another one of her foal

Incredibly,

My heart still beats strongly,

But for politics and bickering,

It might not be alone,

In conclusion, 

We must have never been destined

Life’s botched and then you die

That’s why some get high

On that coca plant

My sadness evaporates alone

My happiness tears down my cheek,

Desperate and forlorn

A new man leads us forever,

But never one of our own

For we lost thousands

So another might claim the throne

Victory is ours

And sadness is undeserved,

Why, one might ask,

When it is our man on the throne?

French Gran Colombia,

American Gran Colombia

All I want is my house, my son and my daughter

And a little farm on the water,

And build a new route to America if they’ll have you,

For I’d need to be none the wiser

Death of Bolivar

  

El Libertador is dead!

Yesterday evening as we were all going to sleep our most beloved leader has been assassinated in his own house. The assassins lit up fires to cover up their traces and used complex stratagems to get rid of the security. It probable that even without such evil machinations, no one would be able to apprehend the culprits given the chaos that our country is experiencing. All honourable citizens will lament this tragic loss and hopefully, after our times of trouble are behind us, we will be able to think about our great leader with love.  

Disaster strikes Gran Colombia!

  _________________________________________________________________________________~ ::: La Gaceta de ::: ~

: ~ : C O L O M B I A ( ? ) : ~ :

~ 3rd March, 1829 ~ Publication #100

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Disaster strikes Gran Colombia!

In a swift turn, the nation of Gran Colombia has found itself decapitated on all fronts after almost the entire nation broke apart from Gran Colombia within the space of a few days. Ecuador's provinces have all independently seceded from Gran Colombia, as the central government has collapsed, although the provinces are still cordial and meet together. The central government only operates in Panama and Boyaca, and the whereabouts of Bolivar are unknown. The remainder of Gran Colombia, reduced to nearly a single province, has had its leader choose to sit with the neutral Ecuadorians as they maintain a stance of aggressive neutrality. 

The French have staged a coup in Nueva Grenada, and installed Juan Marie Cordova as the Head of State of a French protectorate in Nueva Grenada, entitled "French Nueva Grenada". The French have a significant military presence in the region that, along the earlier strength of Nueva Grenada, far outstrips that of American-funded Venezuela as of last notice. The French have very openly stated their desire of reuniting Gran Colombia as French Gran Colombia under the stewardship of the loyal Juan Marie Cordova, who will be personally guarded by French soldiers at all times. The French have also established a military alliance with Peru. This has worried the Americans, who have reportedly offered Venezuela all the help they want to defend against the expected incoming invasion by the French. 

Pamphlet urging to take a stance against the French

 ~ : LA CIVILAZION : ~

~ 10 January 1829  ::: ~ ::: Publicación #2 ~

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Pamphlet

The following pamphlet is printed on request of Antonio Salazar Obando

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My fellow Colombians,

We have struggled for the past decade for independence from European colonialism. Our countrymen spilled rivers of our blood in the name of liberty, equality, and independence, yet some now see it fit to invite another European despot to march his troops into our cities and exploit the people of Gran Colombia. Not only are they inviting another monarchy onto our soil, but an empire which is currently stretching its tentacles around the world, grabbing land, subjugating peoples, and robbing wealth wherever they can. As a patriot, a believer in liberty, and a supporter of all the people of this great country, I cannot sit idly by whilst traitors get in bed with these imperialists and dictators, selling Colombia to line their own pockets with gold. We must say no to any French attempts to strengthen their position in our country and be ready to fight for our freedom and independence once again. If the French want Colombia, they will have to climb a mountain of patriots’ bodies and swim a river of heroic blood, we will not give in to them.

Antonio Salazar Obando

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Newspaper article: Christian party gaining traction

 ~ : LA CIVILAZION : ~

~ 10 January 1829  ::: ~ ::: Publicación #2 ~

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Christian party gaining traction

In the past months critique of the church has been incredibly vocal. Liberal politicians have demanded for a separation of church and state, the secularization of education and even the abolition of the church. Many already saw the money and land that a disowning of the church would cause in their pockets and created extensive spending plans. 

Now for the first time we a seeing a change in the narrative. The founding of the Christian party Partido Democrata Cristiano has been met with great support in the population. The new party that wants to increase education through the church is reshaping the Narrative by putting a liberal spin on the traditionally conservative Church. 

The Church, seemingly desperate for any type of political support in a time where most were already dreaming about seeing it in ruins, is fully endorsing the party and has included promotion of it in many services all over the country. This is strengthening the position of the Church substantially.

Campaign against Juan Illingrot, pamphlet sealed herein

Dear People of Ecuador,

I, Senor Jose Joaquin Eufrasio De Olmedo y Maruri along with Vincente Rocafuerte y Jose Hilario Lopez of Jaen, Manabi and Cuenca, would like to reassure you that we will not allow Senor Juan Illingrot, a protestant, to convolute and twist our sacred religion and a certain political leanings into something unnatural to benefit solely himself. Our economy is young and we would not benefit from a free market economy at all. How are we to pursue this with such a lack of primary education? France invades Venezuela yet the navy in his ports remains wholly inefficient and insufficient. Considering his money this would perhaps only seem like a positive thing for him, but he does not think of the people who do not share his privilege. He does not understand the people, the diversity of our region, the culture.

We have always likened him as our own despite his Protestant beliefs but this has gone too far. As a Catholic country, you have also shown your godly duties and tolerated this behaviour, veiled by his wealth and foreign background. He has demonstrated a supreme double-nature, in both visiting the Catholic church, whilst pushing his twisted Protestant nature.
We believe it is time for you to know the kind of man he really is. For a long time we have known each other, governing side by side. As men we share secrets, as politicians we keep them. But now it is common knowledge, and gossip, of his sinful activities as a married man who has been having affairs, most notably with his secretary.  We three have toiled and suffered in the guilt of keeping these disgraceful secrets in the name of neutrality and for the benefit of Guayaquil, of Ecuador. But it appears that these benefits are turning slowly all towards him.

We have a very strong feeling that the governor of Guayaquil has lost the connection with the ordinary people and cares only about his own wealth and greed, and it is time for him to be humbled.

Your humble servants always,



Y THE HEADS OF CUENCA Y MANABÍ

Newspaper article on the independence party

 

~ | El Constitucional | ~

| 15 January 1829 |

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                                     Independence movement in Venezuela

After the recent conflict in Venezuela surrounding General Paez, it is now the turn of Santiago Marino, Commandante General of the Maturin department to foment trouble by creating a new party supporting Venezuelan independence. The new party has established itself in Caracas with brand new headquarters but it is present throughout the country with many more regional offices. The funding of the whole project stems from Marino, who is dead set in spreading his ideas to the population through pamphlets. 

The party has the goal of creating an independent technocratic state, without ideological ties to any existing party in our country, The leader of the party will be elected every five years, with the position currently being occupied by Marino. 

It appears that Marino met with delegates from the United States, although no official declaration has been made by the United States’ government.

This party threatens our unity and invites foreigners into our country. We must stand united to resolve the crisis.