Western Hemisphere 109
Coding changes: End Date changed from June 12, 1942. Outcome changed from
Unclear. Settlement changed from None.
100 Colombia/101 Venezuela
MID#1174
Dispute Number: 1174
Date(s): September 17, 1900 to October 1901
Participants: 100 Colombia/101 Venezuela
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: Missing
Narrative: The Goajira-Guainia dispute began shortly after the dissolution of Boli-
var’s Great Colombia in 1830, when Venezuela attempted to reclaim land that had
belonged to it before 1810. The dispute became militarized 70 years later when, on
September 17, 1900, Colombia created an office for Far Eastern affairs on the disputed
border and, on October 13, established a customs house at Rio Negro.
There were several incidents throughout early 1901, then civil unrest erupted in
Venezuela. General Garbiras (a Venezuelan traitor) led a Colombian force across the
border in an invasion attempt. The two countries were almost brought to war over
this incident. Diplomatic relations between the countries were severed on November
16, when it was alleged that Venezuela was interfering in Colombia’s internal affairs.
Coding changes: End Date changed from November 16, 1901.
MID#2342
Dispute Number: 2342
Date(s): June 4, 1902 to November 18, 1902
Participants: 100 Colombia/101 Venezuela
Outcome (and Settlement): Victory for side B (Imposed)
Fatalities: Missing
Narrative: Colombia and Venezuela were involved in a brief skirmish in 1902. The
dispute started with a June 4, 1902, Colombian show of forces at the Venezuelan
border. Colombia leveled accusations that Cipriano Castro, Venezuelan president, had
unduly meddled in Colombian affairs. Castro was alleged to have given aid and sup-
port to Panamanian rebels and facilitated the rival Liberal faction in Colombia. Castro,
on his end, charged that Colombia had not been a good neighbor and had allowed
Venezuelan insurgents to stage operations from Colombia. This came at a time of
considerable turmoil in Venezuela. Tensions spilled over in November 1902. Venezu-
elan revolutionists joined forces with some Colombians and clashed with Venezuelan
troops in Las Dantas, Venezuela. The Venezuelan military successfully turned the
invaders back. Afterward, Castro accused the Colombian government of orchestrat-
ing the attack, though it seems unlikely the Colombian government was responsible.
Coding changes: End Date changed from November 25, 1902.