Bartolomé Mitre secretly backs Venancio Flores' revolt

Background. Venancio Flores launched the 'Liberating Crusade' in 1863 to topple Bernardo Berro's fusionist government. Flores accused the Montevideo administration of Blanco sympathies, framing the rebellion as a traditional Colorado-Blanco conflict. This political maneuvering set the stage for external intervention, as Flores sought to leverage regional power dynamics to overthrow the coalition government that had previously included his own party.

Secret Support. President Bartolomé Mitre provided Flores with supplies, Argentine volunteers, and river transport for troops. This aid was covert, as Mitre publicly insisted Argentina remained neutral and denied any role in the rebellion. The support was rooted in political exchanges, where Flores agreed to back Buenos Aires' interests in exchange for assistance against the fusionist government in Montevideo.

Political Context. Mitre's Unitarian faction opposed the Rosista regime, which had allied with the Uruguayan Blancos. His closeness to the Colorados influenced his support for the revolt. Meanwhile, the Blanco government received support from Argentine federalists who opposed Mitre. This internal Argentine fragmentation influenced the covert nature of the aid, as Mitre navigated complex domestic and regional alliances.