Battles & Campaigns · 1813
Battle of Cúcuta
Cúcuta, Norte de Santander, Colombia
What happened
Independence forces under Simón Bolívar fought Spanish royalist troops under Ramón Correa. Bolívar's small force took the hills above Cúcuta in the morning and fought for about four hours. A royalist attempt to get round them failed, and in the afternoon Bolívar ordered a bayonet charge that drove the royalists away. The independence forces then took the town.
Why it matters
The win gained Bolívar wide support and pushed royalist forces out of the Cúcuta valleys. It opened the way into Venezuela.
What came next
It came just before Bolívar's march into Venezuela, the 'Admirable Campaign'.
Did you know?
A local woman, Mercedes Ábrego de Reyes, embroidered a coat that Bolívar wore during the campaign.
Timeline
- 28 Feb 1813Battle of Cúcuta.
- 2 Jul 1813Patriot victory at Niquitao.
- 31 Jul 1813Patriot victory at Taguanes.
- Aug 1813Bolívar enters Caracas.