Domínguez's Expedition to Honduras

Domínguez's Expedition to Honduras
Date 1831–1832 Location Honduras Result Honduran victory Honduran independence is preserved
Combatants
Honduras	El Salvador Guatemalan mercenaries Haitian mercenaries Mercenaries from Caribbean tribes French mercenaries Mexican mercenaries
Commanders and leaders
Francisco Morazán Juan Galindo José Trinidad Cabañas Francisco Malespín	Vicente Domínguez  Manuel José Arce
Strength
1,500	Unknown
Casualties and losses
300	Unknown

Domínguez's Expedition to Honduras was an unsuccessful military expedition carried by the Mexican general, Vicente Domínguez in an attempt to re-establish Spanish control on Honduras.

Background

Vicente Domínguez, a Mexican Colonel was expelled from Central America for opposing Honduras' leader Morazán, he returned in 1831. Seizing the northern coast, he joined a conservative federalist plan led by Manuel José Arce to invade Honduras from three fronts. Supported by Spain, the plan aimed to disable ports and capture Comayagua, with El Salvador providing additional troops.

Conflict

In November of 1831, Colonel Ramón Guzmán surprised the Fortaleza de San Fernando de Omoa with 200 men, raising the Spanish flag. Colonel Vicente Domínguez seized Fortaleza de Santa Bárbara, executing the French captain Richard Duplessis. Domínguez sought support for a return to Spanish monarchy, loading the ship "Fénix" with arms for a revolution in Cuba. Alleged supporters included traders and priests. Meanwhile, General Francisco Morazán defended the Central American Federal Territory against Mexican intervention. Morazán's troops, led by Colonel Nícolas Raoul and Mexican Colonel José Martínez, defeated forces supporting Manuel José Arce on February 24, 1832. Simultaneously, in El Salvador, Morazán, with Colonels Narciso Benítez and Ramón Valladares, engaged in battles against Salvadoran forces, ultimately capturing San Salvador on March 28 and calling for elections.

The rebels managed to get in Honduras territory. Colonel José Antonio Márquez led government forces against rebels. The decisive Jaitique clash marked a turning point, resulting in Márquez's death. Subsequently, Colonel Guzmán's rebellion crumbled with the fall of Omoa after a six-month siege. Despite efforts by Vicente Domínguez, his defeat and capture occurred in May 1832. The battles encompassed confrontations in Trujillo, Tercales, and the significant engagement at Jaitique, leading to the ultimate surrender of Omoa and the capture of key rebel leaders.

During the 6-month siege of San Fernando de Omoa, an estimated 1,000 casualties occurred. Colonel Vicente Domínguez was executed on September 14, 1832. Caribbeans supporting conservatives faced persecution, with some fleeing to British Honduras (Belize). Honduras incurred debts for the campaign, and the government took measures post-war, including creating health boards and addressing military service regulations.