How did the French invasion of Spain in 1808 affect New Granada?

The French invasion of Spain in 1808 served as the decisive catalyst for political upheaval in the Viceroyalty of New Granada. By imprisoning the Spanish king, Ferdinand VII, Napoleon removed the central figure of legitimate authority, creating a profound political crisis that resonated across the empire.123

In New Granada, this event triggered an initial outburst of loyalty to the captive king, coupled with deep anxiety regarding the fate of the empire and the church. However, the power vacuum led to intense conflict between colonial and peninsular subjects over the control of government. By 1810, various jurisdictions in New Granada began removing Spanish officials, and although these new governments initially swore allegiance to Ferdinand VII, the instability fostered a movement toward independence. This period of strife eventually escalated into civil wars and the broader struggle for sovereignty led by figures such as Simón Bolívar.12