2023-07-02 08:05:06
The commemoration of the bicentennial of the political emancipation of Spain, on September 15 of two years ago, was surrounded by abundant government paraphernalia and constant promotion of certain egotistical officials who tried to get publicity from that event. Very little was really devoted to promoting instruction, reflection, and learning about that historical event that gave rise to the path of the Central American nations. Those provinces had only a quarter of freedom when the annexation to Mexico was announced on January 5, 1822, at the invitation of Agustín de Iturbide.
In the provinces there was no consensus on that decision and El Salvador was totally against it. Even so, deputies were appointed to join the Mexican congress. However, promoters of Independence such as Pedro Molina and Francisco Barrundia opposed the annexation and pointed out that it was not very representative in the legislature. Iturbide dissolved Congress and declared himself Emperor.
This meant that after three centuries under the rule of the Spanish empire, it was now part of another recently declared empire. Iturbide sent troops to Central America to subdue rebellious regions by force. In addition, other unconsulted measures were undertaken that caused discomfort, such as new geographical demarcations of municipalities and centers of political power.
Republican and constitutionalist sectors of Mexico fought the idea of empire, which in turn made annexation less attractive to the conservatives who promoted it in Guatemala and the rest of the provinces. Iturbide tried to relaunch the Constituent but failed and in this agitation the annulment of this territorial merger was promoted. This is how on July 1, 1823 the provinces of Central America declared their absolute independence from Spain, Mexico and any other power. This practically constitutes a second emancipation, the factors of which are still very little studied in schools and universities, despite the strong political and legal lessons evoked in it.
Among these lessons, valid for the present, the following can be deduced: First, the infeasibility of a small political sector assuming the power to impose its convenience on others. Second, the need to find bridges of dialogue and understanding to trace paths for the common good, instead of promoting extremism that even goes so far as to want to go above the law. Third: institutionality placed at the service of democracy is the best brake on polarization. Fourth: you need to study history to try not to repeat preventable mistakes that only cause high opportunity costs.
A year later, the Central American Federation emerged, a project for the integration of States in search of economic, political, and social improvements that was cut short by intolerance, despotism, exclusion, and brawls between warlords. Unfortunately, these sterile, partisan disputes, which often involve prejudices and stereotypes, continue to be a drag on democratic development. For that alone it is worth remembering this second independence.
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