Battle of Tarqui

Battle of Portete de Tarqui
Part of the Gran Colombia–Peru War
Painting of the battle
Date 27 February 1829 Location Portete de Tarqui (today Ecuador) Result Indecisive Setbacks on both sides
Belligerents
Gran Colombia	Peru
Commanders and leaders
Antonio de Sucre Juan José Flores	José de la Mar Agustín Gamarra
Units involved
Gran Colombian Army Granaderos de Tarqui Cavalry Squadron "Cedeño"	Peruvian Army 1st "Hussars of Junín" Cavalry Regiment
Strength
5,000 men	5,000 men
Casualties and losses
2,000 displaced 800 killed & wounded 600 deserted & captured	1,000 killed & wounded 300 captured

The Battle of Tarqui, also known as the Battle of Portete de Tarqui, took place on 27 February 1829 at Tarqui, near Cuenca, today part of Ecuador. It was fought between troops from Gran Colombia, commanded by Antonio José de Sucre, and Peruvian troops under José de La Mar. Although the Colombian troops achieved victory over the Peruvian vanguard, destroying it and forcing the rest of their forces to withdraw, they suffered heavy losses in their cavalry with the Peruvian charge, which made it difficult to continue the campaign and caused the stabilization of the front.

For this reason, Sucre and La Mar signed an armistice in Girón, a prelude to the negotiation of the end of hostilities and the establishment of limits between the two countries. However, the breach of the agreement almost led to a continuation of the war, an event that was prevented by the political instability in Peru that led to the deposition of La Mar by Agustín Gamarra. The new Peruvian president negotiated the signing of the peace treaty with Colombia, known as the Treaty of Guayaquil. At the same time, however, events were taking place that would lead to the dissolution of Gran Colombia.

The anniversary of the battle is conmemorated as Army Day by the Ecuadorian Army.