What caused the War of a Thousand Days in Colombia?

The War of a Thousand Days (1899–1903) was a devastating civil conflict in Colombia primarily caused by deep-seated political and economic tensions between the Liberal Party and the Conservative government.1

The conflict was driven by several key factors:

• Political Exclusion: Following the Conservative victory in 1885, Liberals were largely excluded from participating in the government, creating significant resentment.1
• Economic Distress: The Liberal Party, which represented many coffee plantation owners and merchants, favored laissez-faire economic policies. By 1899, these groups were suffering from a drastic downturn in international coffee prices, leaving many operating at a loss.1
• Monetary Instability: In response to reduced customs revenues, the Conservative government issued unbacked paper currency. This caused the value of the Colombian peso to drop precipitously, further destabilizing the economy and exacerbating the grievances of the Liberal opposition.1

These tensions culminated in open warfare that began in the coffee-growing regions in 1899, ultimately resulting in massive loss of life, economic ruin, and the eventual secession of Panama.1