Why was Colombia called the United States of Colombia between 1863 and 1880?

Colombia was known as the United States of Colombia between 1863 and 1880 because of the political dominance of federalism during that era.12

During the 19th century, the Colombian elite was deeply divided over whether the country should adopt a centralist or a federalist political system. Adherents of federalism gained significant influence in the early 1860s, leading to the adoption of a new constitution in 1863 that reflected these decentralized ideals. This period, however, was marked by frequent instability; government records later referred to these years as the "Epoch of Civil Wars," as the national army was too small to effectively maintain public order amidst recurring conflicts.12