# Chile declares war on the Confederation (28 December 1836)

URL: https://allhistories.com/peru/timeline/1836-chile-declares-war-on-the-confederation
Location: Callao, Callao
Themes: War

Fearing commercial competition from Callao and a powerful neighbour, Chile under minister Diego Portales declares war on the Peru–Bolivian Confederation; Argentina follows in 1837. Peruvian exiles opposed to Santa Cruz, including Agustín Gamarra, join the Chilean 'Restoration' expeditions sent north to dismantle the union. In August 1836 a Chilean naval raid had already seized Confederate warships at Callao.

## Why it matters
The War of the Confederation turned Peru into a battleground of rival regional powers and its exiles into allies of a foreign army.

Ruler at the Time: [Andrés de Santa Cruz (1836–1839)](https://allhistories.com/peru/rulers/andres-de-santa-cruz-1836-1839)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — War of the Confederation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_the_Confederation)
- [Wikipedia — Peru–Bolivian Confederation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peru%E2%80%93Bolivian_Confederation)
- [Wikipedia — Caudillos & Guano Age (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guano_Era)