Central American liberals are optimistic for their Federation, which they believe will evolve into a modern, democratic nation, enriched by trade passing through it between the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans.

These aspirations are reflected in the emblems of the federal republic: the flag shows a white band between two blue stripes, representing the land between two oceans.

The coat of arms shows five mountains (one for each state) between two oceans, surmounted by a Phrygian cap, the emblem of the French Revolution.

In practice, however, the federation faces insurmountable problems.

As a governor of Mexico, Vicente Filisola had occupied Guatemala City after the formation of Federal Republic of Central America and had been successful in annexing El Salvador in 1823, causing an uprising there.

In compliance with the Mexican constitution, Filisola had convened the Central American congress, which had forthwith declared its independence from Mexico.

Filisola had not been able to maintain a fighting force, and his troops gad been sent back to Mexico by the residents of Guatemala City, who paid for their transportation.

The liberal democratic project is strongly opposed by conservative factions allied with the Roman Catholic clergy and the wealthy landowners.

Transportation and communication routes between the states are extremely deficient.

The bulk of the population lacks any sense of commitment towards the broader federation, perhaps owing to their continued loyalty to the Roman Catholic Church in Spain.

The federal bureaucracy in Guatemala City has proven ineffectual, and Manuel José Arce’s four-year-old government is overthrown in 1829.

José Francisco Barrundia, former leader of the Revolutionary Party of Guatemala that had fought for independence, is appointed interim president, and