History of the Ecuadorian–Peruvian territorial dispute nature, but was meant only for ecclesiastical and military jurisdiction. During the first 10 years of independence, Gran Colombia, under the leadership of Simon Bolivar, had continually protested Peru's occupation of Tumbes and Jaen; Maynas had not been militarily occupied yet. Peru ignored Simon Bolivars ultimatum to return Tumbes and Jaen or face war. Bolivar then declared war and Peru responded by successfully invading and occupying southern Ecuador with a force of 8,000 soldiers. Simon Bolivar sent Jose Antonio de Sucre to Ecuador who lead 4,000 Gran Colombian soldiers that defeated the Peruvian invaders in the Battle of Tarqui in
Subdivisions of Gran Colombia Subdivisions of Gran Colombia The Republic of Gran Colombia was a former independent country in northern South America, a post-Spanish colonial country that existed from 1819 to 1831. Its initial subdivisions, created in 1820, were revised and expanded in 1824. The initial country subdivision of Gran Colombia was into three departments, without larger districts or smaller provinces. They were: The Distrito del Norte (northern district) was in present-day Venezuela and parts of Guyana and Brazil. Its departments and provinces were: The Distrito del Centro (central district) was in present-day Colombia and Panamá. Its departments and provinces were: The Distrito del