Chincha Islands War 1865-1866

The Chincha Islands War has been described as a tragicomic venture. The economically valuable Peruvian islands were seized by the Spanish, on April 14, 1864, in an effort to pressure the government of Peru to apologize for the Talambio Incident and provide reparations to the Spaniards who were involved. Negotiations were successful and a treaty was signed on January 27, 1865, which provided an indemnity for losses to Spanish subjects and the return of the islands but also included practical recognition of Peruvian sovereignty, a former colony of Spain. However, the treaty aroused substantial opposition in Peru.

Meanwhile, fearing Spain intended to reestablish imperial control in South America, Chile under President Jose Joaquin Perez refused to sell coal to the Spanish fleet. This provocation was met with a Spanish provocation on September 17th. Chile then declared war on Spain a week later on September 24, 1865. Lacking troops for a landing or enough ships to blockade all of Chile, the Spanish commander opted to blockade of Valparaiso.

In Peru, the unwillingness of the government to declare war on Spain led to a change in government on November 7th and again, on November 26th – after that government declined to go to war too – Mariano Ignacio Prado became president. Peru and Chile then signed a treaty of alliance in December and on January 14, 1866 Peru finally declared war on Spain. Ecuador and Bolivia also declared war on Spain and closed their ports by the end of March.

On March 31st, Spanish warships bombarded the Chilean port of Valparaiso, causing significant damage to the city and devastating the Chilean merchant fleet (destroying 33 vessels). On May 2nd, Spanish warships attacked the heavily defended Peruvian port of Callao, sustaining hundreds and inflicting thousands of casualties on the Peruvian defenders and civilians. A week later, on May 9, 1866, the Spanish fleet ceased all hostilities and withdrew from the South American Pacific coast as well as vacating the Chincha Islands.

References

Chile - A Country Study; Clodfelter, 577-8; COW52; Kohn, 468; Peru - A Country Study.

Category

Inter-State War

Region

South America

Belligerents

Spain, Chile, Peru

Dispute

Governance

Initiation Date

September 24, 1865

Termination Date

May 9, 1866

Duration

138 days,

Outcome

Unresolved Truce

Fatalities

Total: 1,000
Spain: 300
Chile: 100
Peru: 600

Magnitude

3.0