Walker's Coup

Written by Zach Batson

William Walker Senior was a renowned filibustering mercenary zealously passionate about the expansion of the “Great American Empire”. He formed a militia during the Mexican-American War, bankrolling the affair with money collected from similarly minded benefactors from the south. His militia captured the largely unmanned Baja peninsula, which he graciously surrendered to General Zachary Taylor. He received no recognition for the paltry victory, which permanently soured him on the future Vice-President. Bitter at the government's indecisiveness on expanding further south from Mexico, Walker spent the next few decades staging rebellions, revolts, and other mass violence across Central America. These schemes had an opposite than intended effect, as many of the countries he destabilized later sought integration into the powerful state of Gran Colombia.

In 1898, Guatemalan President Reina Barrios began public negotiations with Colombian President Sucre for the unification of their nations. Reina Barrios had seen growing economic strife in recent years, and felt joining Gran Colombia would both ease the recession, and net him a comfortable retirement as a regional governor. Walker, now 73, had greatly increased his influence with the help of his son. William Jr. had many connections among the more affluent of the former Mexican states, and had acquired 800 mercenaries. On the night of March 4th, 1899, the Walkers led this small army into Guatemala City, stormed the Presidential Palace, and assassinated Reina Barrios while he held a dinner with members of cabinet. It is said the elder Walker himself did the deed with the same revolver he carried when he captured Baja.

The Walker Militia seized the capital city, and attempted to coerce the government into joining the United States. The cabinet secretly alerted the military, who in coordination with Gran Colombia were able to easily surround the invaders in the Palace. After a two week siege, Walker Jr. forced his father to surrender. The bulk of the militia was sentenced to life in prison, while the Walkers were sentenced to death by firing squad on November 12th, 1899. It is said over 1000 Colombian soldiers were needed to keep the peace, not to prevent sympathizers from aiding the father and son, but because the massive Guatemalan crowd present fiercely wished to mete their own justice for their fallen President. As for his legacy, Walker’s diplomacy by force did eventually lead to Guatemala joining the United States, though only after years of heavy bloodshed.