Battle of Huaqui
Near Guaqui and the Desaguadero River, Bolivia
What happened
The revolutionary Army of Peru from Buenos Aires, led by Juan José Castelli and Antonio González Balcarce, fought the royalist army of José Manuel de Goyeneche. Revolutionaries from Buenos Aires had marched north to spread their cause to Upper Peru. They crossed the Desaguadero River to outflank the royalists, but Goyeneche attacked at 3 a.m. on 20 June with his whole army. The revolutionary cavalry was overrun, and the army retreated.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It ended the revolutionaries' planned advance into Peru. Castelli and Balcarce were removed from command and put on trial.
What came next
Manuel Belgrano was named to command the Army of the North. The threat led to the Jujuy Exodus, when many people left Jujuy ahead of an expected royalist attack.
Did you know?
On the same day, a revolt began in Tacna, Peru, timed to join the Argentine advance that never came.
Timeline
- 19 June 1811Revolutionary troops cross the Desaguadero.
- 20 June 1811The royalists win at Huaqui.