Siege of Cartagena (1820–21)

Background

The United Provinces of New Granada declared independence from Spain in 1811, controlling much of present-day Colombia by 1815. That year, King Ferdinand VII sent Pablo Morillo with a large fleet to restore order; Morillo besieged and starved Cartagena into submission from August to December 1815. In 1819, Simón Bolívar's campaign defeated Royalists at Boyacá, then advanced along the Magdalena River, capturing strongholds until only Cartagena remained in Royalist hands with a solidly entrenched garrison.

Siege

The siege began on 14 July 1820 when Colonel Mariano Montilla surrounded the city. Initially, the Spanish were connected by sea and supported by surrounding towns, so supplies were not a problem. Admiral José Prudencio Padilla's fleet was needed but was occupied conquering Riohacha and Santa Marta.

Divisions under Córdova and Maza arrived to reinforce pressure and prevent Royalist supply from Corozal. Torres sought negotiations, but Montilla and Bolívar refused. In January 1821, Padilla's fleet of 40 ships blockaded the port. On 24 June 1821, Padilla assaulted the Royalist in Ánimas Bay, capturing 11 ships and their weapons.

Viceroy Sámano escaped by sea to Panama. Torres y Velasco capitulated to Montilla on 10 October, bringing the last Royalist fortress in the Colombian Caribbean under Patriot control. Torres and his troops were sent to Cuba, where he was tried and acquitted for losing the city.