80 Chapter 2
Guatemala went so far as to declare war against El Salvador on June 28, 1890. Fight-
ing erupted on the border in July. After some small-scale clashes between both sides,
US minister Lansing B. Mizner negotiated an end to the conflict on August 26. The
provisions forced Ezeta to step down from government but permitted him to be eli-
gible to run for the office of presidency. He did so and won the election.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from June 23, 1890. End Date changed from
August 25, 1890. Outcome changed from Unclear.
MID#1205
Dispute Number: 1205
Date(s): March 1906 to July 20, 1906
Participants: 90 Guatemala/91 Honduras, 92 El Salvador, 93 Nicaragua
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Negotiated)
Fatalities: >999 deaths
Narrative: This war began as a two-pronged assault on Guatemala by emigres from
El Salvador and Honduras, aimed at replacing Guatemalan dictator Estrada Cabrera
with Manuel Lisandro Barillas. Guatemala blamed the Salvadoran and Honduran
governments for fostering the attacks and began an offensive against both states. The
US minister to Guatemala tried to intervene under the Roosevelt Corollary and the
Corinto Pact of 1904, but the latter did not involve Guatemala and was thus rejected.
When the conflict had reached the threshold for war, Roosevelt personally took charge
of the negotiation process.
Mexico joined the diplomatic effort with the United States since both were inter-
ested in promoting business initiatives in Central America and required peace in the
area to do so. With approval of the Mexican government, the United States dispatched
the warship USS Marblehead to Central American waters as a show of force and a
signal to resolve the dispute among the three states. The Marblehead became the de
facto good offices of the United States. The three belligerents met on board on July
20, 1906, and concluded a preliminary peace treaty the same day. The treaty called for
disarmament of all sides within three days and a negotiation of a more comprehensive
peace within two months. This more comprehensive peace came on September 25 and
took effect on September 14, 1907.
MID#1171
Dispute Number: 1171
Date(s): August 1935 to September 1935
Participants: 90 Guatemala/92 El Salvador
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: 1–25 deaths
Narrative: Guatemalan and El Salvadoran troops clashed along their border. Several
deaths were reported in one incident. A boundary commission had recently adjusted
the border, resulting in a small loss of territory for El Salvador, and there were reports
of mistreatment of El Salvadorans in the area.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from August 28, 1935.