Viva la Guatemala! Viva El Salvador! Viva Honduras! Viva Nicaragua! Viva Costa Rica! Viva Lost Altos! Viva Centroamérica!

It was National Republican Day in Centroamérica, San Salvador, 1836. It had been 15 years since the independence from Spain and the Captaincy General of Guatemala, and the Republic was in constant struggle. The multiple factions of the Republic constantly fought against each other, the Conservadors, the Liberals, and the Secessionists. The current President, Francisco Morazán, was apart of the Liberal Faction and currently had majority power in the assembly. He made many appeasements to the Liberals, including relocating the capital to San Salvador from Guatemala City in 1834. However, Morazán held onto his Presidency by a single thread. If he was not careful, the Republic would break apart with a single push.

Morazán had support from the army however, but the army would only support the man that would pay them. There were many who would want to take the control of the Republican military, certain plantation owners with large amounts of influence, radical revolutionaries, and even politicians within his own cabinet. The current time for Centroamérica was one ablaze with political intrigue, scheming, and violence. The one who carried the gold, carried the influence. This was true all over the world and it was incredibly true in Centroamérica.

However, for the time being, the Republic stayed together. For how long? No one would know, but on this National Republican Day, the Republic was celebrating. A celebration that while on the surface was full of festivities and happiness, down below it was shrouded in violence. For while the parties reigned and the people celebrated, the enemies of the Republic were murdered. And as the President spoke to his people, men would be shot and killed while they hid in their villas. As the President spoke of peace, men were stabbed and murdered. As the President spoke of law, men were kidnapped and thrown in deep dark cells. Some would say the President knew of everything that happened while others would completely absolve him and claim ignorance. For what the President didn't know, didn't hurt him.

For now, people could celebrate and be happy. For now people could live under the false pretext that their livelihood was safe. For as of right now, 1836, the Republic is safe.

~ Diary note from Plantation Owner and future President, Emilio Gaviria. Estimated date, January 1836.