The Spanish, after failing to reach an…

The Spanish, after failing to reach an agreement with the insurrection forces in early 1869, respond by unleashing a war of extermination.

Led initially by Francisco Lersundi, the Spanish use the military to suppress the rebellion.

The colonial government passes several laws: all arrested leaders and collaborators will be executed on the spot, ships carrying weapons will be seized and all onboard immediately executed, males fifteen and older caught outside of their plantations or places of residence without justification will be summarily executed, all towns are ordered to raise the white flag, otherwise burnt to the ground, any woman caught away from her farm or place of residence will be concentrated in cities.