Ecuador and Venezuela separate from Gran Colombia

Background. Gran Colombia existed from 1819 to 1831, encompassing northern South America. Its dissolution resulted from political differences between federalists and centralists, alongside regional tensions. These structural conflicts precipitated the disintegration of the government and political structures starting in 1830, leading to the definitive disappearance of the union in 1831.

Venezuela Separation. Venezuela remained part of Gran Colombia until 1830. The movement toward separation began to materialize in 1826 with the La Cosiata movement of José Antonio Páez, an early expression of the federalist conflict rather than the act of independence itself. A later rebellion led by Páez allowed the proclamation of a newly independent Venezuela on 22 September 1830, with Páez becoming the first president of the State of Venezuela.

Ecuador Separation. The Southern District declared independence from Colombia on 13 May 1830, forming the State of Ecuador. The first Ecuadorian constitution was promulgated on 22 September 1830, uniting departments into a single independent body. Ecuador emerged as a sovereign state in 1830, though the Central District did not initially recognize this separation.

Panama Separation. The Department of the Isthmus (Panama) separated from the Gran Colombian State on 26 September 1830. A second separation was conceived by Venezuelan colonel Juan Eligio Alzuru on 9 July 1831, initially having the approval of the Panamanian oligarchy. These events contributed to the disintegration of the government and political structures.