The last subject of business was the Civil War in Columbia. The fighting started in 1876 over public education. The radical liberal government, led by Aquielo Para, tried to institute public education. The conservatives, backed by the Catholic Church wanted the education done by Catholic parochial schools. Fighting developed between rival liberal and conservative generals. The Liberal Party also split when forces loyal to his moderate rival Rafael Nunez threw their support to the Conservatives. Sporadic fighting continued for four years. In the election of 1880, the alliance of Nunez and the conservatives won, with Nunez as President.
Protesting what they believed to be corrupt elections, the liberal backers of Aquielo Para refused to accept the results and rioted in the streets. The instability escalated when rioters in Cartagena took over the city and held foreign nationals hostage including the United States Consul. The crisis deepened, when the Para government refused to suppress the rioters.
President Blaine ordered Admiral Treat to sail to Cartegena to rescue the hostages. Treat, aboard USS Puritan, led a squadron out of Samana Bay, with two battalions of Buffalo Soldiers, and set course for Cartegena.
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