The area now known as Panama, since…

The area now known as Panama, since gaining independence from Spain on November 28, 1821, has been united to the Republic of Gran Colombia, which also comprises territories from the present countries of Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador.

The political struggle between federalists and centralists that had followed the independence from Spain had resulted in different administrative jurisdictional names for Panama.

Under centralism, Panama had been dubbed the Department of the Isthmus and during the federalism regime as the Sovereign State of Panama.

General José Domingo Espinar, a local military commander, had rebelled against the nation's central government in response to his being transferred to another command.

Under his guidance, Panama separates from the Republic of Colombia in September 1830 and requests that general Simón Bolívar take direct command of the isthmus department, making this a condition to its reunification with the rest of the country.

Bolívar rejects Espinar's actions, and though he does not assume control of the isthmus as he desires, he calls for Panama to rejoin the central state.

Because of the overall political tension, the final days of the Republic of Colombia are approaching.

Bolívar's vision for territorial unity disintegrates finally when General Juan Eligio Alzuru undertakes a military coup against Espinar's authority.