First cry of independence in El Salvador

The first independence movement in San Salvador in 1811, known as the First Cry of Independence of Central America, was an uprising against the authorities of the Captaincy General of Guatemala.

At the end of the 18th century, the Municipality of San Salvador had remained the main producer of indigo in the region, but the commercial monopoly imposed by the Guatemalan commercial houses, together with the economic and political crisis that befell the American colonies of the Empire Spanish at the beginning of the 19th century, motivated the inhabitants of the city of San Salvador to achieve an autonomous government.

On November 5, 1811, the Salvadorans were led by a group of Creoles headed by Manuel José Arce, and the priests José Matías Delgado together with the Aguilar brothers. The rebels managed to depose the colonial authorities and appoint their own leaders, but the revolt did not find support in the other towns of the administration, so the city was isolated. The authorities of the Captaincy General of Guatemala sent a mission of a peaceful nature to restore order in the town. This movement was also the first attempted uprising in the captaincy, prior to the Independence of Central America in 1821.