Honduran-Salvadoran War of 1871

The Honduran-Salvadoran War of 1871 (Guerra Salvadoreña-hondureña de 1871) was a military conflict between El Salvador and Honduras in 1871.

Conflict
In March 1871, the Honduran government, led by José María Medina, declared war on El Salvador due to differences with President Francisco Dueñas, who had supported uprisings against the Honduran government. Medina, allied with generals Santiago González Portillo and José María Rivas, prepared for war with three fronts: South led by Generals Francisco López and André Alfred Van Severen, Center commanded by General Mariano Álvarez, and North under General Juan López Aguirre.

The Southern army attacked Pasaquina on March 16, 1871, defeating the Honduran forces led by General Florencio Xatruch. Xatruch seized Nacaome and advanced towards Tegucigalpa. Simultaneously, the Center and North fronts invaded El Salvador from Gotera and Sensuntepeque, respectively. Santiago González Portillo declared himself Provisional President of El Salvador after capturing Sensuntepeque. Decisive battles occurred in Santa Ana from April 7 to 10, where Honduran generals López, Ochoa, and Pineda, along with Salvadoran General Juan Antonio Medina Orellana, defeated the forces led by Generals Tomás Martínez and Ciriaco Choto in San Miguel.

On April 12, 1871, after a brief 27-day campaign, the Honduran army captured San Salvador, taking President Francisco Dueñas and ex-President of Nicaragua General Tomás Martínez into custody. The swift military actions resulted in the successful invasion and occupation of El Salvador by Honduras.