After the Incas

The 1800s in Ecuador were no less tumultuous than its ancient history. Several rulers came to power in quick succession, and a territorial dispute with Peru increased instability. In 1941, war broke out between the two countries over control of the Amazon basin region. Peru pitted their army of over 11,000 against Ecuador’s poorly-armed 5,000. The Peruvian army pushed into and occupied the southern regions of Ecuador, and the Peruvian Navy blocked the major port city of Guayaquil. The fighting ceased after only a few weeks under pressure from the U.S. and other Latin American countries. Peru was awarded the disputed territory. But the dispute would not be ended until 1999, two undeclared wars and one peace agreement later.