Panama crisis of 1885
The Panama Crisis of 1885 was an intervention by the United States during a rebellion in Panama, at the time part of Colombia, and an ensuing show of force by Chile in support of the Colombian government.
Background
The 1846 Mallarino–Bidlack Treaty, signed by the Republic of New Granada and the United States, obligated the United States to maintain "neutrality" in the Colombian state of Panama in exchange for transit rights across the isthmus.Chile's influence in the region increased following its victory in the War of the Pacific. In this war, Chile defeated Bolivia and Peru and gained large swathes of territory from both, removing Bolivia's access to the sea. U.S. sympathies lay with Bolivia and Peru, and Chile rejected American attempts to mediate. A Peruvian attempt to cede a naval base to the U.S. in Chimbote Bay in 1881 was blocked when Chile, learning of the deal, sent marines to occupy Chimbote.
Panama Crisis
In March 1885, Colombia thinned its military presence in Panama by sending troops who had been stationed there to fight rebels in Cartagena as part of the Colombian Civil War (1884–1885). These favourable conditions prompted an insurgency in Panama.The United States Navy was sent to keep order, invoking its obligations under the 1846 treaty. The North Atlantic Squadron, commanded by Rear Admiral James E. Jouett, was ordered to deploy to Panama with orders to protect American lives and property and to ensure free transit across the isthmus, while respecting Colombian sovereignty. A battalion of 234 marines was organized by Major Charles Heywood, and these were eventually joined by another two battalions, under Heywood's overall command as the head of a provisional Marine brigade. It was the first time the United States Marine Corps assembled a brigade-level formation. Along with Heywood was another future Commandant of the Marine Corps, then-First Lieutenant George F. Elliott. The landing force was under the overall command of Navy Commander Bowman H. McCalla.
On 7 April, the screw sloop USS Shenandoah arrived in Panama City. Three days later, other American ships started arriving in Colón, Panama. On 27 April, a force of marines landed in Panama City to help suppress rebels who had taken over the city after local troops moved out to deal with a revolt in Colón. The next day, federal troops from Colombia arrived from Buenaventura, Colombia's nearest Pacific port. By this time, there was also a small force of the National Army of Colombia supported by a strong contingent of American troops in Colón.
In response to the American intervention, Chile sent the protected cruiser to Panama City, arriving on 28 April. The Esmeraldas captain was ordered to stop by any means an eventual annexation of Panama by the United States. According to a U.S. publication in August 1885, right after the Panama events, " could destroy our whole navy, ship by ship and never be touched once." By the time the Esmeralda arrived in Panama, however, the conflict had already been resolved, as the United States withdrew and the Colombian government retook control of the city on 30 April.