When Vivanco headed to southern Peru to confront the constitutionalist movement of Ramon Castilla, Elías was assigned the governorship of the northern Peruvian provinces. The internal Peruvian conflict was still undecided between the military factions of the country: Vivanco's and Echenique's against Castilla's and San Román's.
Vivanco's journey to confront the constitutionalist movement led by Ramon Castilla in southern Peru resulted in Elías being appointed governor of northern Peruvian provinces. The internal conflict within Peru between the military factions of Vivanco, Echenique, Castilla, and San Román remained unresolved.